Note 3 — Chapter I · THE AUDIENCIAS OF THE SPANISH COLONIES
Reading edition
In 1507, the towns of Española petitioned the king for the same privileges and forms of government as were possessed by the towns of Spain. The request was granted, and municipal rights were bestowed upon fourteen towns. These concessions included the privilege of electing their own regidores and alcaldes ordinarios3 and the rights of local legislation and administration of justice. The principle was subsequently enunciated that,