holiness the pope, yearned for their welfare, and desired but to make them acquainted with the easy yoke and light burden of their divine master.
But there were other clauses in the new laws hardly less distasteful to the Spanish settlers than those relating to the treatment of the natives. Among these were the provisions that the audiencia at Panamá, was abolished and two new tribunals were to be established, one in Peru, and the other, termed the Audiencia de los Confines, at Comayagua in Honduras.[1] In connection therewith the law provided that henceforth the provinces should not be ruled by governors, but in their stead should be the audiencias, with authority to use the royal seal. In order to Insure a greater obedience of the law, and that the natives might be fully apprised of their newly conceded rights, it was decreed that the new code should be translated into the principal native tongues, and published throughout the Indies.
Later, in the year 1550, a royal order was issued to the effect that neither viceroy nor members of the audiencia should transact any other than their official business; they must not own any estate in city, town, or country, nor cattle, nor any interest in mines. If they considered their salaries insufficient they might resign, as the monarch wanted nobody to serve against his will.[2] But this decree was no more heeded than the many others which from time to time had appeared, demonstrating the laudable intention of the crown to improve the government of the colonies.
- ↑ This audiencia was, however, first established at Gracias á Dios. See Hist. Cent. Am., ii. this series.
- ↑ The oidores were to reside in the audiencia building and do no trading whatever; no-to engage in any agricultural pursuits, not even for their own use; aud the same prohibition extended to their unmarried sons and daughters. Cloth, siik, wine, and other needful articles were to be imported for them from Spain. The holding of property in other people's names was also strictly forbidden under penalty of loss of office and a fine of 1,000 ducats. Other persons who dealt with them were to lose their property. The order was reiterated by the king, June 18, 1564. Memorial, Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xviii. 42-7. The pay of royal treasury officials was increased Jan. 24, 1545, but they had difficulty in obtaining it. Puga, Cedulario, 171-2.
