Early 19th century History of Puerto Rico

royal decree of graces, 1815, allowed foreigners enter puerto rico

the 19th century brought many changes puerto rico, both political , social. in 1809, spanish government, in opposition napoleon, convened in cádiz in southern spain. while still swearing allegiance king, supreme central junta invited voting representatives colonies. ramón power y giralt nominated local delegate cádiz cortes. ley power ( power act ) followed, designated 5 ports free commerce—fajardo, mayagüez, aguadilla, cabo rojo , ponce—and established economic reforms goal of developing more efficient economy. in 1812, cádiz constitution adopted, dividing spain , territories provinces, each local corporation or council promote prosperity , defend interests; granted puerto ricans conditional citizenship.

on august 10, 1815, royal decree of grace issued, allowing foreigners enter puerto rico (including french refugees hispaniola), , opening port trade nations other spain. beginning of agriculture-based economic growth, sugar, tobacco , coffee being main products. decree gave free land swore loyalty spanish crown , allegiance roman catholic church. thousands of families regions of spain (particularly asturias, catalonia, majorca , galicia), germany, corsica, ireland, france, portugal, canary islands , other locations, escaping harsh economic times in europe , lured offer of free land, immigrated puerto rico. however, these small gains in autonomy , rights short lived. after fall of napoleon, absolute power returned spain, revoked cádiz constitution , reinstated puerto rico former condition colony, subject unrestricted power of spanish monarch.

the integration of immigrants puerto rican culture , other events changed puerto rican society. on june 25, 1835, queen maría cristina abolished slave trade spanish colonies. in 1851, governor juan de la pezuela cevallos founded royal academy of belles letters. academy licensed primary school teachers, formulated school methods, , held literary contests promoted intellectual , literary progress of island.

in 1858, samuel morse introduced wired communication latin america when established telegraph system in puerto rico. morse s oldest daughter susan walker morse (1821–1885), visit uncle charles pickering walker owned hacienda concordia in town of guayama. morse, spent winters @ hacienda daughter , son-in-law, lived , owned hacienda henriqueta, set two-mile telegraph line connecting son-in-law s hacienda house in arroyo. line inaugurated on march 1, 1859 in ceremony flanked spanish , american flags. first lines transmitted morse day in puerto rico were:

puerto rico, beautiful jewel! when linked other jewels of antilles in necklace of world s telegraph, yours not shine less brilliantly in crown of queen!

minor slave revolts had occurred in island during period, revolt planned , organized marcos xiorro in 1821, important of them all. though conspiracy unsuccessful, achieved legendary status among slaves , part of puerto rico s folklore.