The Audiencia in the Spanish Colonies

Charles Henry Cunningham studies the audiencia, which he calls the central institution of the Spanish colonies, through the audiencia of Manila from 1583 to 1800. In the preface he says that living in Manila for some years put the original documents of that tribunal at his disposal. The title page names him as adjunct professor of history in the University of Texas, and the book is dated Berkeley, 1919.

One passage lists duties of colonial audiencias: guarding the royal prerogative, watching the fees charged by officials, supervising the property of deceased prelates, called espolios, and restraining church judges through the recurso de fuerza. Audiencias could hear appeals against the rulings of viceroys and presidents, and those appeals could be carried on to the Council of the Indies. Other passages discuss the encomienda, with a quotation from Helps, and name oidor Francisco de Coloma, who took charge of military affairs as captain-general.