The king of spain governed wd his colonies through viceroys

Viceroys watched over the king's lands, increased his wealth, and carried out his will.

Explanation:

Viceroy, one who rules a nation or territory as the delegate of his sovereign or lord and who is engaged to act in the sovereign's name. Emissary (Virrey) was the title given to the chief governors of Spain's American settlements, just as to the governors of the "realms" (regions) of peninsular Spain legitimate (e.g., Aragon, Valencia).

The forces of the emissaries were dependent upon different restrictions: other significant pilgrim authorities were likewise crown-named and could upset them by managing Madrid.

a big one is

to appoint and regulate officers of the land and naval forces,

which caused much controversy ending the articles