José María Chacón

Who was José María Chacón?

Don José María Chacón was the last Spanish Governor of Trinidad. He was responsible for signing the Cedula of Population in 1783, moved the capital from San José de Oruña to Puerto de España in 1783, founded the city of San Fernando in 1784 and surrendered the island of Trinidad to a British fleet under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby in 1797. The King of Spain set up a "Council of War" to look into the surrender. By Royal Decree, Chacon and Rear Admiral Sebastián Ruiz de Apodaca were banished for life from the "Royal Domain." Apodaca's case was reconsidered and he was reinstated in 1809, but Chacón died in exile.