This law still left the trial of oidores for misdemeanors in the governor's jurisdiction, but in cases of sedition or notorious offenses which required immediate action in order to furnish a public example for its effect on the natives, the president was required to confer with the audiencia, and to act in accordance with its judgment. By this law the president was forbidden to make more than temporary suspensions of oidores from their offices. In no case could they be permanent unless first approved by the Council of the Indies. [414] Notwithstanding this law, it may be noted that certain governors went so far on some occasions as to remove, imprison, and exile magistrates and to appoint a new audiencia. [415] The judicial power of the governor over such cases was further altered by the Royal Instruction of Regents of June 26, 1776, by which he was forbidden to impose any penalty on the oidores without the concurrence of the acuerdo and the regent. [416] The president and the acuerdo could rebuke and discipline oidores, privately, when their conduct demanded it. Even on such an occasion as this the magistrate was to be given full opportunity to defend himself. If a private investigation of the conduct of an oidor were necessary, the inquiry could be still conducted by the senior magistrate. [417] Oidores, on the other hand, had no jurisdiction over the trial of charges against the president, unless it were in his residencia. In this event the investigation might be conducted by a magistrate designated by the governor or by the Council of the Indies. [418] Aside from his executive and military duties, the governor was president of the royal audiencia. This arrangement had the advantage of giving him an opportunity to know and appreciate the legal needs of the colony. It brought him in constant contact with judicial minds, and his position in this regard was no doubt calculated to keep him in the straight and narrow path of the law. Nevertheless, the governor, who was usually a soldier, but seldom a lawyer, did not participate as a magistrate in the trial of cases, and his activities in the tribunal were directive, rather than judicial. His opinions in all legal and administrative matters were prepared by his asesor. [419]