Corregidor is the name given in Spain to the principal magistrate of a town, appointed by the King. Readers of Gil Blas will remember his functions and the terror of his name to evil-doers. The Portuguese corregidor has administrative but not governing powers.
Corregidor
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 3: Catarrh to Dion, p. 495
Source scan(s): p. 0506