ABSTRACT
In the course of colonial growth, the adelantado was superseded by a collegiate power known as the audiencia. The audiencia exercised not only judicial and political functions, but in the absence of any superior officer it was also the chief authority in military affairs. In judicial matters, even in the presence of the viceroy as president, the audiencia exercised a large measure of independence. In 1555 the jurisdiction of the audiencia of Lima extended over the whole of South America; but later several audiencias were established within the limits of the authority of the viceroy of Peru; as in New Spain the audiencias of Guatemala, Mexico, and Guadalajara were under the general dominion of the viceroy of Mexico. The president and judges of the audiencia of Guadalajara were required to recognize and obey the superior authority of the viceroy of Mexico, and the same attitude of subordination was required of the governors of Yucatan and New Biscay.
