Formerly the colony of Trinidad was under the command of a Governor, who was Commander-in- Chief in and over the island and its dependencies, Vice-Admiral thereof, sole Judge of the tribunals of Royal Audiencia and Court of Appeal of Civil Jurisdiction, Intendant of the Royal Treasury, Judge of Crown Lands, President of the Illustrious Board of Cabildo, and Royal Vice-Patron of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. There was no Executive Council whatever, and his Majesty's Council, or the persons with whom the Governor might advise or consult, if he thought it necessary, consisted of six individuals selected by himself, and who held the appointment during his pleasure only. The highest law court was the Royal Audiencia, of which, as we have seen, the Governor was sole Judge; while the inferior officers were an Assessor, the Attorney and the Solicitor-General, the Alguasil Mayor, or Provost-Marshal, and a clerk of the court.

In the Court or tribunal called “of Appeal of Civil Jurisdiction,” the Governor was assisted by an Assessor; and in the Court of Appeal of Criminal Jurisdiction, he had the aid of the whole of his councillors. The Court of the First Instance for the trial of Civil matters consisted of a Chief Judge, the Judge of Criminal Inquiry, and the Alcaldes in ordinary. The Court for the trial of Criminal prosecutions consisted of the Chief Judge of the colony, and the Governor's Assessor, together with the first and second Alcaldes of the capital; but the Court of Criminal Inquiry was composed of one Judge only, and a clerk of the court.