Note 81 — Chapter III · THE JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE AUDIENCIA

Another typical case, indirectly connected with commerce, occurred in 1713, when the fiscal of the audiencia prosecuted three captains, Enrique Boynont, Fernando Gall and Diego Brunet, who had arrived at Cavite in command of French merchant and exploring ships, without the royal permission to trade in the Islands. These captains, who were foreigners, of course, were charged with smuggling, and were brought before the royal audiencia. The charges against them were not proved, and in due time the cases were dismissed.81 The laws of the Indies authorized the governor and the alcaldes del crimen to try cases of strangers,82 but in Manila, where there were no magistrates of this category, such cases were tried by the audiencia.