Ivol Blackman

Post Capitulation Trinidad (1797-1947) Ivol Blackman

Trinidad became a colony of Spain in 1498. In 1797, it was captured by Britain and became a colony of that country. Under British rule, it was categorized as a Crown Colony. As such, it was completely controlled by the British government and the governor who was its representative in the island. The governor was judge, legislator, and administrator all at once. In that regard, the significance of the Articles of Capitulation, the document evidencing the surrender of the island to British forces, as a bill of rights is considered. The evolution of the law, the judicial system, and the legislature and the consequent replacement of their Spanish counterparts are the bases of the text. But the influence of the economic structure in the colony on the changes that were introduced in the law is described. The change from the one-man rule of the governor to the governor with a Council of Advice, and finally, to a Legislative Council is detailed. Was Spanish law completely terminated in Trinidad? An answer to that question is given in the book.