Sebastián Ramírez de Fuenleal, born in Cuenca,…
January 1530 CE
Sebastián Ramírez de Fuenleal, born in Cuenca, to a family of the hidalgo class, had entered the University of Valladolid at the age of sixteen, where he received a degree in canon law.
In 1520 he became inquisitor of Seville, and was later a member of the Royal Chancery of Granada.
He had been named bishop of Santo Domingo and president of its Audiencia, occupying this position from 1528.
In Hispaniola, he punishes mistreatment of the Indians, reorganizes the treasury, and faces the rebellion of Enriquillo in Bahoruco.
He has built schools, established villages and constructed public works.
He pays particular attention to mining, and to the rights of the Indians.
At this time the African slave trade to Hispaniola and Cuba is just beginning, in order to supply labor for the mines and for sugar production.
Bishop Ramírez does not oppose this slave trade, which is considered necessary at the time.
He does oppose monopolies in the slave trade that lead to inflated prices.
The Second Audiencia (high court) of New Spain is named in a royal decree dated January 12, 1530, following the disastrous First Audiencia of Nuño de Guzmán.
Until the establishment of the viceroyalty of New Spain, the high court will be the highest authority in New Spain.
It includes Bishop Ramírez de Fuenleal as president and Juan de Salmerón, Alonso de Maldonado, Francisco Ceinos and Vasco de Quiroga as oidores (judges).
These individuals had been nominated by the bishop of Badajoz, who is also president of the Chancery of Valladolid.
In contrast to the members of the first Audiencia, all of these men are honest, honorable and capable.
All hold the academic degree of licentiate (licenciado).
The nominated oidores are located in various parts of Spain at the time; Ramírez de Fuenleal is in Santo Domingo.
The king has directed that whoever among them arrives first in New Spain should begin immediately to govern.