United States Statutes at Large/Volume 3/15th Congress/1st Session/Florida Chapter 1

United States Statutes at Large, Volume 3
United States Congress
Public Acts of the Fifteenth Congress, Secret Session of 11th Congress, Florida Chapter 1
2633228United States Statutes at Large, Volume 3 — Public Acts of the Fifteenth Congress, Secret Session of 11th Congress, Florida Chapter 1United States Congress


Jan. 15, 1811.

An Act to enable the President of the United States, under certain contingencies, to take possession of the country lying east of the river Perdido, and south of the state of Georgia and the Mississippi territory, and for other purposes.

In case of an arrangement with the local authority, or an attempt by any foreign government to occupy it, the President authorized to take possession of the territory east of the Perdido, &c.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized, to take possession of, and occupy, all or any part of the territory lying east of the river Perdido, and south of the state of Georgia and the Mississippi territory, in case an arrangement has been, or shall be, made with the local authority of the said territory, for delivering up the possession of the same, or any part thereof, to the United States, or in the event of an attempt to occupy the said territory, or any part thereof, by any foreign government; and he may, for the purpose of taking possession, and occupying the territory aforesaid, and in order to maintain therein the authority of the United States, employ any part of the army and navy of the United States which he may deem necessary.

100,000 dolls. appropriated to defray the expenses of taking possession, &c.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That one hundred thousand dollars be appropriated for defraying such expenses as the President may deem necessary for obtaining possession as aforesaid, and the security of the said territory, to be applied under the direction of the President, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

In case of taking possession, the President may establish a temporary government.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That in case possession of the territory aforesaid shall be obtained by the United States, as aforesaid, that until other provision be made by Congress, the President be, and he is hereby authorized to establish, within the territory aforesaid, a temporary government, and the military, civil, and judicial, powers thereof shall be vested in such person and persons, and be exercised in such manner as he may direct, for the protection and maintenance of the inhabitants of the said territory in the full enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion.

Approved, January 15, 1811.