Note 81 — Chapter IX · THE AUDIENCIA AND THE GOVERNOR: THE AD INTERIM RULE

It is important to note that Anda was not given the title of governor and captain-general, but that as oidor he was commissioned visitador de tierras and teniente de gobernador y capitán general.81 The authority to designate oidores as visitors of the provinces was a function regularly exercised by the president of the audiencia and authorized by the laws of the Indies.82 It appears from the above that Anda was sent to the provinces to defend them against the English. This was the main object as stated in the original proposition of the audiencia. Zúñiga states the purpose of the departure of Anda to have been “to maintain the islands in obedience to the King of Spain,”83 and this is corroborated by the testimonies of Anda,84 Viana85 and of Rojo,86 himself. In view of these facts, Rojo’s failure to co-operate with Anda, his proneness to listen to those who counseled surrender, his complete reversal of tactics in repeatedly summoning Anda to abdicate, and his willingness even to betray Anda into the hands of the British are almost inexplicable.87