The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 7

the expenses of justice; and furthermore, he shall not be allowed to
exercise the said office any longer. By this act they so provided,
ordered, and decreed.
Don Francisco Tello Doctor Antonio Morga The licentiate Tellez
Almazan The licentiate Cambrano Before me:
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel In the city of Manila, on the twenty-second
day of the month of January, one thousand five hundred and
ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal Audiencia and
Chancillería of these Philipinas Islands, who signed their names to the
above act, declared and proclaimed it in public session. Diego de
Mercado and Juan Garcia, interpreters, were present and were notified.
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel

_An act decreeing that the probate judge shall examine the accounts of
guardians of minors in this court._
In the city of Manila, on the seventh of January, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia and Chancillería of these Philipinas Islands declared that,
whereas in this court there are many minors--encomenderos, and
others--whose property and effects are in charge of guardians and
curators; and because the said property might be spent and dissipated
without these guardians being able afterward to give an account thereof
to their said minors, which would result to the great harm and prejudice
of the latter: therefore, to remedy the aforesaid, they resolved, and they
did so resolve and decree, that the common probate judge, now or
hereafter, in these islands be empowered to examine, not only in trust
but on the party's petition, the accounts of all the guardianships and
curatorships of minors in this court, and of the administration and

conservation of the same; and he may proceed against those of whom
he may be suspicious, or who administer and manage dishonestly, or
waste, the goods and effects of the said minors; and may make in the
case all the inquiries suitable and necessary, until he shall hand down a
definite decision in such cases--for which, and for everything annexed
to and pertaining to it, they gave him the requisite power and authority,
in the sufficiency required by law. By this act they so voted, ordered,
and decreed.
Don Francisco Tello Doctor Antonio de Morga The licentiate Tellez
Almazan The licentiate Cambrano Before me:
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel

_An act decreeing that no one shall keep on his hat or sit down, while
the auditor is taking his deposition._
In the city of Manila, in the Philipinas Islands, on the seventh of
January, one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine, the president and
auditors of the royal Audiencia of the said islands declared that,
whereas certain persons have been imprisoned in the royal prison of
this court, for criminal cases, who, when their depositions were being
taken, sat down and remained with their heads covered, which is in
disrespect of royal justice; and as it is fitting to apply a remedy to the
aforesaid, now and henceforth, therefore, they ordered, and they did so
order, that each and every one, of whatever rank and condition, who
may be imprisoned on criminal charges, shall, when his deposition is
being taken before any auditor of this royal Audiencia, stand and bare
his head, until such time as his deposition is ended. And, in order that
this may come to the knowledge of everyone, it shall be made known to
the commissioners and attorneys of this royal Audiencia, who shall
give notice of the provisions of this act to such persons, whenever
occasion shall arise, so that it may be observed. By this act they so
provided, ordered, and decreed.
Don Francisco Tello Doctor Antonio de Morga The licentiate Tellez
Almazan The licentiate Cambrano Before me:
Pedro Hurtado Desquibel

_An act decreeing that no attorney shall enter a petition in a new suit
between Indians, without first communicating it to the auditor for that
week._
In the city of Manila, on the seventh of January, one thousand five
hundred and ninety-nine, the president and auditors of the royal
Audiencia of the Philipinas Islands declared that, whereas in this royal
Audiencia there are brought and considered suits and causes for small
amounts among the natives of these islands, in which they incur heavy
costs, whereby they receive great injury and vexation: therefore, they
ordered, and they did so order, that no prosecuting attorney of this royal
Audiencia shall bring therein a new suit or petition for an Indian,
without first and foremost bringing it before this royal Audiencia, or
before the auditor for the week, in order that the latter may determine
whether the suit be a proper one--under a penalty of a fine of six pesos
of common gold, immediately upon the conviction of anyone who may
disobey this decree; one-third to go to the receiver of fines, another
third to the royal