An Act to provide for the organization of [Monroe] county south of Charlotte Harbour in the Territory of Florida, 1823

County government -- Florida

Florida -- Boundaries

Manuscript of the act of the Territorial Legislative Council of Florida creating Monroe County entitled, "An act to provide for the organization of a county south of Charlotte Harbour in the Territory of Florida." Passed July 2, 1823, Approved July 3, 1823. The document has many text losses.

Florida. Territorial Legislative Council

State Archives of Florida, Series S222

1823-07-03

Murray, George

Fatio, Francis J., 1792-1829

DuVal, William Pope, 1784-1854

Legislative acts

eng-US

Text

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Territorial Florida (1821-1845)

Florida

Monroe County (Fla.)

Charlotte Harbor (Fla.)

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Politics and Government

[An] Act to provide for the organization of a county south of Charlotte harbour in the Territory of Florida.
[Sec. 1] Be it enacted by the Governor and Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, That all that part of the Territory aforesaid, [lying] south of a [line] commencing at Boca Gasperilla, the mouth of Charlotte Harbour on the [Gulph] of Mexi[co, and] extending up the Northern [margin of] said Charlotte harbour to the mouth of Charlotte [river, thence up] the Northern [margin of said] River to Lake Macaco, thence along the Northern [mar]gin of said Lake to its [most eastern limits], thence in a direct line to the head waters of Potomac River, thence down said river to its entrance into the ocean, together with all the keys and islands of the Cape of Florida, shall constitute a county to called Monroe ["Charlotte" struck through] County.
[Sec. 2.] Be it further enacted, That the Governor shall be and he is hereby authorized and empowered, for the protection and the administration of justice in the county established by this act, to appoint such officers, civil and of the military, as are or may be by law provided in the several counties of this Territory.
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the officers thus appointed, sh[all] exercise the same powers, incur the same penalties and responsibilities, and be en[titled] to receive the same compensation as is or may be by law provided for officers of the same station ["same states" struck through], or in the several counties [of this] Territory.
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That the judge of the county court to be appointed by virtue of this act, shall hold two terms of his said court in each and every year, to commence at Allenton on the Island of Key West, on the first Mondays in May and October.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said judge, at the first term of his court, any three of the magistrates of said county being present, and concurring therein, to appoint four commissioners

inhabitants of said county, to select the most eligible and convenient situation for [the county seat] of said county, Provided, That no two of the said commissioners shall be appointed from any one of the islands of said county, and that two at least shall be appointed from the main land.
[Sec. 6.] Be it further enacted, That when the said county seat shall have been established, according to the provisions of this act, it shall be the duty of the judge to hold his court [at the] place established, and the clerk shall [reside] and keep his office there.
[Sec. 7.] Be it further enacted, That if the said commissioners [or a majority] of them, should not agree with regard to the most eligible situation, [for the] county seat, then and in that case the subject of disagreement shall be [referre]d to the judge of the county court, whose decision shall be final.
Passed July 2nd, 1823
Geo. Murray, President of the Legislative Council
[Attested], [signed] F.J. Fatio, Clerk
Approved July 3rd 1823
[signed] Wm. P. Duval Governor of the Territory of Florida

[damaged]
Passed July 2nd 1823

The borders of Monroe county as defined in this act are significantly larger than the present day. Though the original record is damaged, a transcript of the text is available.