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Rh power and influence: it had a control over all other tribunals, ecclesiastical as well as civil, in all cases where the value of the object in litigation did not exceed ten thousand dollars ; and it enjoyed the privilege of corresponding directly with the sovereign, and with the Council of the Indies; a board created in 1511, by Ferdinand II., and remodelled by Charles V. in 1524, for the exclusive superintendence of the affairs of the Colonies. At this board the King was supposed, constantly, to preside in person; orders and decrees, though emanating from the crown, were to be communicated through it, before they acquired the force of law; and all projects of reform were to receive its sanction, before they could be carried into execution.

The right of communicating directly with this formidable tribunal, gave, of itself, great weight to the Audiencia; and this was increased by the care with which its members were usually selected, and by the pains that were taken to keep them distinct from the natives in interest and feelings. They were forbidden to intermarry with a Creole, (as were the Viceroys and their children;) or to engage in trade, or even to hold property in the country in which they resided. As some compensation, they were entrusted with the vice-regal power, in the event of the Viceroy's decease, which was held by the Regent,