United States Statutes at Large/Volume 3/15th Congress/1st Session/Florida Chapter 3
An Act authorizing the President of the United States to take possession of a tract of country lying south of the Mississippi territory and west of the river Perdido.
2d session, 12th Congress.
The President authorized to occupy West Florida west 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 be, and he is hereby, authorized to occupy and hold all that tract of country called West Florida, which lies west of the river Perdido, not now in possession of the United States.
The President may employ the military and naval force for holding the country, &c.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That, for the purpose of occupying and holding the country aforesaid, and of affording protection to the inhabitants thereof, under the authority of the United States, the President may employ such parts of the military and naval force of the United States as he may deem necessary.
20,000 dolls. appropriated to defray the expenses incident to the occupation, &c.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That for defraying the necessary expenses, twenty thousand dollars are hereby appropriated, to be paid out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, and to be applied for the purposes aforesaid, under the direction of the President.
Approved, February 12, 1813.