Each order, also, had its own judicial machinery for the settlement of cases arising within it. The courts of the orders were presided over by their provincials, generals and commissaries, and were composed of those dignitaries and other magistrates selected in accordance with their own rules. Special investigators or visitors were also delegated to try cases arising within the orders, and to make inspections, ascertaining the general character of the work of the orders, the conduct of their dignitaries and the regularity of their administration.
[7] Moses, South America on the eve of emancipation, 126.
[8] Carta de Fr. Francisco de Laudín ... al Consejo de Indias, 20 de Enero, 1668, A. I., 68–1–44.
[9] Recopilación, 1–7–54; 2–15–150; 3–1–4; Escriche, Diccionario, II, 453.
[10] Recopilación, 1–10–1, 2.
[11] Escriche, Diccionario, II, 453.
[12] Recopilación, 1–10–4, 6, 7, 12; 1–7–12.
[13] Ibid., 11.
[14] Ibid., 2–15–153; 1–10–13; 3–1–3.
[15] As an example of this we may refer to the work of the Augustinians in bringing to the light of judicial scrutiny the abuses of certain encomenderos against the Indians of Mindanao. This was in 1581, before the audiencia was established. The offending encomenderos were brought to Manila and tried by Bishop Salazar, who temporarily deprived them of their holdings and sentenced them to imprisonment and fines (Governor to the King [day and month not given], A. I., 67–6–6).