266 



the superior tribunals of that capital, whose jurisdic- 

 tion extends over all the Spanish provinces in those 

 parts. 



The principal of these is the Tribunal of Audi- 

 ence, or Royal Senate, whose decision is final in all 

 causes of importance both civil and criminal, and is 

 divided into two courts, the one for the trial of civil 

 and the other for that of criminal causes. Both are 

 composed of several respectable judges called audi- 

 tors, of a regent, a fiscal or royal procurator, and a 

 protector of the Indians. All these officers receive 

 large salaries from the court. Their judgment is 

 final, except in causes where the sum in litiga- 

 tion exceeds ten thousand dollars, when an appeal 

 may be had to the supreme council of the Indies. 

 Justice, as has been already observed, is universally 

 agreed to be administered by them with the utmost 

 impartiality. The other supreme courts are that of 

 Finance, of the Cruzada, of Vacant Lands, and the 

 ConsuuUe or Tribunal of Commerce, which is wholly 

 indépendant of any other of that kind. 



The provinces are governed by Prefects, formerly 

 called Corregidors, but at present known by the 

 name oï sub-delegates ; these, according to the forms 

 of their institution, should be of royal nomination, 

 but, owing to the dii>tance of the court, they are 

 usually appointed by the captain-general, of whom 

 they style themselves the lieutenants. They have 

 jurisdiction both of civil and military affairs, and 

 their emoluments of office depend entirely upon their 

 fees, which are by no means regular. In each capi- 

 tal of a province, there is, or at least should be, a 

 municipal magistracy called the Cabildo, which is 



