Philip II of Spain originally established the
audiencia by royal decree on 4 September 1559. Law IX (Audiencia y Chancillería Real de la Plata, Provincia de los Charcas) of Title XV of Book II of the
Recopilación de Leyes de Indias of 1680 — which compiles the original 1559 decree and the ones of 29 August 1563, 1 October 1566, 26 May 1573 — describes the borders and functions of the Audiencia. In Ciudad de la Plata de Nuevo Toledo, Province of the Charcas in
Peru, shall reside another Royal Audiencia and Chancellery of ours, with a president; five judges of
civil cases [
oidores], who shall also be judges of
criminal cases [
alcaldes del crimen]; a crown attorney [
fiscal]; a bailiff [
alguacil mayor]; a lieutenant of the Gran Chancellor; and the other necessary ministers and officials; and which shall have for district the Province of the Charcas, all of
El Collao, from the town of
Ayabiri, along the road of Urqusuyu, from the town of Asillo by the road of Umasuyu, from Atuncana, by the road of
Arequipa, towards the part of the Charcas, inclusive with the Provinces of
Sangabana,
Carabaya,
Juríes y
Diaguitas,
Moyos [
see also Moxos people] and
Ch'unchu, and
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, sharing borders: in the north with the
Royal Audiencia of Lima and provinces not yet discovered; in the south with the
Royal Audiencia of Chile; and in the east and west with the two Seas of the
North and
South and the
line of demarcation between the Crowns of the Kingdoms of
Castile and
Portugal, along the
Province of Santa Cruz of Brazil. All said territories are and shall be understood to comply with Law 13, which deals with the founding and erection of the
Royal Audiencia of Trinidad, Port of Buenos Ayres, because our will is that said law be kept, complied with and executed precisely and punctually. ==Independence==