_Pedro Hurtado Desquibel_




_An act decreeing that the taxing officer of this royal Audiencia shall
be notified to fix the costs in the suits, either personally, or by
some other intelligent person whom he shall name for this purpose._

In the city of Manila, on the sixteenth of March, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas it has
come to their notice that the taxing officer of this royal Audiencia
does not fix the costs in the suits that are brought there: therefore,
because it is advisable that the above officer fulfil the obligation
of his office, as his Majesty ordains and commands, and that the
inconveniences which arise from this be avoided, they ordered, and
they did so order, that the said taxing officer should be notified
that, now and henceforth, in whatever processes shall be brought for
consideration in this royal Audiencia, whether definitive or under
any plea whatever, the costs shall be fixed by him (thus complying
with the tenor of the royal ordinance treating of this matter),
either personally, or by some other intelligent person whom he shall
designate for the said purpose, and shall appoint in his place, who
shall be a person fit for the said service. They ordered the clerk
of court of this royal Audiencia to be present at those suits which
shall be brought for consideration in the manner above mentioned,
before the said taxing officer, in order that he may fix the costs
therein; and, regarding the aforesaid, they charged one another's