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,[1] 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.
[2] The edict of 1783 invited persons of either gender and of the Roman Catholic faith to Trinidad who would swear loyalty to the Spanish Crown to receive land allotments in sizes depending on their race and heritage.
The Spanish, who possessed the island, contributed little towards advancements, with El Dorado the focus; Trinidad was perfect due to its geographical location.
The Spanish also gave many incentives to lure settlers to the island, including exemption from taxes for ten years and land grants per the terms set out in the Cedula.