Note 56 — Chapter VI · THE AUDIENCIA AND THE GOVERNOR: GENERAL RELATIONS

After the creation of the office of regent in the audiencias of the colonies, in 1776, the governor’s position as president of the audiencia became purely nominal, the regent actually officiating as chief justice, though the president was still legally required to affix his signature to all judicial decisions of the tribunal. The frequent and extended absences of the governor from the capital and the multiplicity of his administrative duties prevented him from attending to these matters with requisite promptness, and injustice consequently resulted from the requirement. Many complaints were made from 1776 onward against this condition of affairs, with the result that a modification in the existing law was made on October 24, 1803, making valid the signature of the regent to all decisions of the audiencia, when the governor was absent from the colony on expeditions of conquest or tours of inspection.56 At all other times the governor, as president, affixed his signature to all legal acts and autos, although he did not participate in their decisions. The law remained thus until 1861, when the governorship was separated from the presidency, the acuerdo was abolished, and the regent was made president of the audiencia with authority to sign all judicial decisions.57