the three nominees proposed by the bishop.[1] As royal representative the viceroy had much additional control over the church, which tended greatly to exalt his dignity, however galling this subordination must have been to the clergy.
A still greater influence was derived from the office of captain-general by land and sea, with power to appoint lieutenants, to call out the colonists as a militia body, to levy troops for expeditions, and even to dip into the royal treasury. A council of war served both to guide and control his action however. The duty of attending to the defence of the country enabled him to interpose his authority in a number of ways, and from his decision in military matters there was no appeal except to Spain.[2] The audiencia had in all important affairs of government to be consulted, in which attitude it was known as the acuerdo; yet in most cases the viceroy could carry out his own decision even if this body objected. The oidores would then have to report to the king, without his knowledge if they chose. In cases of appeal to them from him they could always demand the documents and determine to whom cognizance pertained.[3]
With the creation of captain-generalcies in Yucatan, and alono; the northern frontier of regencias and intendencias, the power of the viceroy became more and more restricted,[4] although his duties were by no means reduced, including as they did at least a nominal supervision of affairs even within districts that appeared independent of him. The commercial interests of New Spain in the Philippines called his
- ↑ Or rejecting all. This privilege had much to do with the frequent and bitter quarrels between the political and ecclesiastical chiefs.
- ↑ The military system will be considered in connection with the forming of the standing army. Revilla Gigedo comments on the captain-generalcy as the most important of the offices. Instruc., 129.
- ↑ The power to so determine was granted only in later times. The privilege to follow his own decision in most cases served greatly to exalt the viceregal authority, as intended.
- ↑ A source of regret, says Revilla Gigedo, since communication with Spain had become so easy as to allow the sovereign to interfere in case of mistakes on the part of his representative. Instruc., 4.
