 On May 10 , 1805 , Schimmelpenninck was therefore inaugurated as Raadpensionaris ( Grand Pensionary ) of the Batavian Republic . This venerable title ( clearly chosen for sentimental reasons ) had little connection with the former office of the States of Holland ; as a matter of fact , the new office more resembled that of Stadtholder , though even William V , after 1787 , had not possessed the powers Schimmelpenninck was to wield . His was a one @-@ man Executive that would in no way be encumbered by the 19 man Legislative Corps , that had no powers apart from the Pensionary . The Pensionary conducted his business assisted by a Staatsraad , that resembled the French Conseil d 'État more than the old Raad van State , and by Secretaries of State , who resembled the Agenten of the Uitvoerend Bewind . Of course , such an important change in the constitution had to receive the imprimatur of the popular will . A plebiscite was duly organized which elicited 14 @,@ 903 Yes @-@ votes ( against 136 Noes ) from an electorate of 353 @,@ 322 . The abstentions were counted as " tacit affirmatives " in the now well @-@ established tradition . 
