the qualities required in a successful colonial ruler.[1]
The supreme court or Audiencia was composed of four judges (oidores, auditors) an attorney-general (fiscal), a constable, etc. The governor who acted as president had no vote.[2] Besides the functions of this body as the highest court of appeal for criminal and civil cases it served as has been said as a check upon the governor. Down to 1715 the Audiencia took charge of the civil administration in the interim between the death of a governor and the arrival of his successor, and the senior auditor assumed the military command.[3] Attached to the court were advocates for the accused, a defender of the Indians, and other minor officials. In affairs of public importance the Audiencia was to be consulted by the governor for the opinions of the auditors.[4]
For the purposes of local administration the islands were subdivided into or constituted Provinces under alcaldes mayores who exercised both execu-
- ↑ His comments on the kind of officials needed are not without interest today: "A governor must understand war but he must not be over confident of his abilities. Let him give ear to the advice of those who know the country where things are managed very differently from what they are in Europe. Those who have tried to carry on war in the islands as it is carried on in Flanders and elsewhere in Europe have fallen into irreparable mistakes. The main thing, however, is to aim at the welfare of the people, to treat them kindly, to be friendly toward foreigners, to take pains to have the ships for New Spain sail promptly and in good order, to promote trade with neighboring people and to encourage ship-building. In a word, to live with the Indians rather like a father than like a governor." Relation et Memorial de l'état des Isles Philippines, et des Isles Moluques by Ferdinand de los Rios Coronel, Prestre et Procureur General des Isles Philippines, etc. Thévenot, ii (p. 23 of the Relation).
- ↑ Morga, p. 345. Recopilacion, lib. ii, tit. xv, ley xi.
- ↑ Ibid., ley lviii. Le Gentil, ii, pp. 159, 161.
- ↑ Recopilacion, lib. ii, tit. xv, ley xi.
