Final answer:
The denotative meaning of 'dispose' in the excerpt is 'to throw away,' as it describes the governor's duty to remove bad elements to maintain order.
Step-by-step explanation:
The denotative meaning of the word “dispose” in the given excerpt refers to expelling or getting rid of something, which aligns with the definition: to throw away. In the context of the governor's responsibilities, the excerpt from Digest 50.16.11 suggests that ensuring peace and quiet in the province involves the governor exerting effort to expel bad men and seek for them, which implies removing them, much like one would dispose of unwanted items. In this context, it suggests that the Governor should take action to remove bad individuals from the province. It does not mean 'to place in order', 'to set up', or 'to settle a matter' as mentioned in the other options.