[51] For the significance of the difference between this oath and that in (1) above, cf. American History and Government, § 64.
[52] This enactment is the formal establishment of representative government in the colony,—in accordance with the character of this Court which so decreed. Cf. Introduction, above, to this No. 67 b. (2).
[53] Not more than four, so the vote stood probably 18 for, and 15 against. But the new claim of the Assistants that at least six magistrates must be "in the vote" (i.e. vote yes) prevents action.
[54] It is refreshing to see that the gentle Puritan women were not to be controlled in the matter. In 1638, four years later, Winthrop has the following item:
"The court, taking into consideration the great disorder general through the country in costliness of apparel, and following new fashions, sent for the elders of the churches, and conferred with them about it, and laid it upon them, as belonging to them, to redress it, by urging it upon the consciences of their people, which they promised to do. But little was done about it; for divers of the elders' wives, etc., were in some measure partners in this general disorder."
[55] Cf. Ludlow's extreme fear of democracy in No. 64, above.
[56] The mid-week (Thursday) religious service, then held in the morning, of which our Thursday evening "prayer meetings" are a survival. Boston had no town government, as yet, with regular town meetings; but the gathering for this religious purpose was utilized for a special governmental purpose.
[57] The aristocratic protest won; at the second election, the usual gentlemen were placed upon the committee.
[58] The immediate occasion was the desire to satisfy Lord Say and Lord Brooke. Cf. No. 75, below.
[59] This provision for "proxies," or written ballots (as the men of that day used the term "proxy" often), was soon extended to all towns at all annual elections.