The Audiencia in the Spanish Colonies: As illustrated by the Audiencia of Manila (1583-1800)Cunningham, Charles Henry
History
The Audiencia in the Spanish Colonies: As illustrated by the Audiencia of Manila (1583-1800)
Cunningham, Charles Henry
Philippines -- History -- 1521-1812; Spain -- Colonies -- Administration
Thus we see that even this early in the history of the Islands,
the oidores as well as the governors were accused of a predominating
interest in commercial affairs.
Governor Pedro de Acuña recommended the suppression of the audiencia
in 1604, although he said that he had had no serious trouble with
that tribunal. His chief reason in favoring its removal was that
an appreciable saving would be realized thereby. The audiencia was,
moreover, very unpopular in Manila. He alleged that the name of oidor
was so odious that it was in itself an offense. He stated that affairs
had come to such a pass that
because I, in conformity to what your Majesty has ordered, have
attempted to maintain and have maintained amicable relations
with the auditors; and have shown, on various occasions, more
patience and endurance than the people considered right; and more
than seemed fitting to my situation, in order not to give rise to
scandal; some have conceived hatred for me, publicly saying that
... I was neglecting to look after them, and that I could correct
the evil which the Audiencia was doing. But as I cannot do that,
it has seemed to me the best means to let the public see that
there was good feeling between me and the Audiencia. [561]
Here we have the case of a governor, who, in order to get along in
harmony with a quarrelsome and unpopular audiencia, gave way to it
on many occasions, and even incurred the displeasure of the residents
of the colony on account of what seemed to them to be the governor's
easy-going attitude. His zeal for the king's service, as he expressed
it, moved him to recommend the abolition of the tribunal. He said that
the audiencia would not be missed if it were removed, since there
were only twelve hundred residents in the colony and there were few
cases to be tried. Most of the suits arising in the Islands could
be adjudicated by the alcaldes ordinarios and appeals could be sent
to Mexico. The acuerdo, or administrative session, Acuña alleged,
existed in name only.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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