Cedula of Population

The Cedula of Population was a 1783 edict by the representative of the King of Spain, José de Gálvez, opening Trinidad to immigration from, primarily, the French Caribbean islands. Negotiated by Phillipe Rose Roume de Saint-Laurent, a key figure in Trinidad's colonial history, the edict consists of 28 articles governing several forms of land grants to encourage population growth, naturalization of inhabitants, taxation, armament of enslavers, the duty and function of a militia to protect the island, and merchant and trade issues.