fix the prices to be asked by merchants for their wares; keep a list
of all the Spanish citizens, with record of the services and rewards
of each; audit the municipal accounts of the city where the court is
established; and allot lands to those who settle new towns. Its powers
in regard to ecclesiastical cases of various kinds are carefully
defined. Felipe orders that the papal bulls be proclaimed only in
those towns where Spaniards have settled, and then in the Spanish
language; and that the Indians shall not be compelled to hear the
preaching of them, or to receive them. Specific directions are given
for the manner in which the Audiencia shall audit the accounts of
the royal treasury, and it may not expend the moneys therein; it
shall also audit the accounts of estates in probate. Its members must
especially watch over the welfare of the conquered Indians--punishing
those who oppress them, and seeing that the natives receive religious
instruction, in which the Audiencia and the bishop shall cooperate;
and various specific directions are given for the protection of the
Indians and their interests. The duties of the officials subordinate to
the Audiencia--fiscal attorney, alguazils, clerks, jail-wardens, and
others--are carefully prescribed, as also are those of advocates. The
remainder of this document will be presented in _Vol_. VI.

_The Editors_
May, 1903.






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