42 A VOYAGE TO Book VIL 



lirft, which is adorned with the portraits of all the 

 vice-roys, he receives the Indians and other cafts. 

 In the fecond, he gives audience to the Spaniards ^ 

 and in the third, where, under a rich canopy are placed 

 the pidures of the king and queen then reigning, he 

 receives thq^fe ladies who deCirc to /peak to him in 

 private without being known. 



The affairs relating to the government are expe- 

 dited by a fecretary of ftate, with an affiftant, pro- 

 perly qualified for fuch an arduous poft. From this 

 ©ffice are iffued the orders for pafiports which muft 

 be had from every Corregidor in his jurifdidion. 

 The fecretary has alfo the power of filling all juri- 

 dical employments as they become vacant, for the 

 term of two ye?a-s as alfo thofe of the magiftracy, 

 who at the expiratioji of their term, have not been 

 fcplaced by others of his majefty's nomination. In 

 a word, this office may be faid to be the channel by 

 which all affairs relating both to war and govern menc 

 are tranfaded. 



All caufes relating to juftice, are tried in the 

 court called the Atidiencia^ from the decrees of which 

 there is no appeal to the fupreme council of the In- 

 dies, unlefs after notorious injuftice or a fecond trial ; 

 as the vice-roy himfelf prefides in it. The Audiencia 

 which is the chief court at Lima, is compofed of § 

 auditors or judges, and a fifcal, for civil caufes. This 

 court is held in the vice^roy's palace, in the 3 faloons 

 appropriated to it. In one the deliberations are held, 

 and in the other two, the caufes are tried either pub- 

 licly or privately, the fenior judge always prefixing. 

 Criminal cauies are tried in a 4th apartment, the 

 judges being 4 Alcaldes of the court, and a criminal 

 lifcal. There is alfo a fifcal protestor of the IndianSj 

 and fome fupernumeraries. 



Next to the tribunal of audience, is the chamber 

 of accounts, confiding of a commiffioner, live chief 

 accomptants, two receivers, and two directors, with 



other 



