New Introduction by Peter R. Christoph. 726 pp. 1987 (1902). Harbor Hill. The Council of the Colony of New York was second only to the Colony"s Governor in power and authority, and in the personal prestige of its officers. These Minutes of the Council are a record of the meetings of the Governor and the Council for 115 years, and include petitions, letters, reports of committees, and court files of cases on appeal. The result of the Council discussions was the issuing of orders, warrants, letters, commissions, passes and licenses; the very fabric of early colonial life.