The Corregedor (Inspector-General or Magistrate) was a position established by the Portuguese crown in the 14th-15th century, with the authority to "correct" acts of a local, administrative or judicial nature within the kingdom.
The King of Portugal had by ordination, in the entire kingdom, the right to send important authorities, in his name, to correct the acts at all levels of the local administration and judiciary.
[1] The first Corregedor with jurisdiction over the Azores, Dr. Afonso de Matos, was nominated by King Manuel I of Portugal in 1503.
[1][2] After 1535, King John established a time frame for corrections to be made in each island of the Azores, and by each Captaincy.
[1] Similarly, the Corregedor was responsible for inspecting the functioning of the Municipal authorities (Portuguese: Câmaras Municipais) and audit the books of the public finances.