He was responsible for signing the Cedula of Population in 1783, leading to extensive French immigration to Trinidad.
He compelled the province's Cabildo (governing council) of San Jose de Oruňa to move to Port of Spain and he limited its powers to the municipality.
The settlement of French Catholics in the island, led to a rapid increase in the town's population and its geographical extension westwards.
In 1797 Chacón surrendered Trinidad to a British fleet under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby.
Apodaca's case was reconsidered and he was reinstated in 1809, but Chacón died in exile.