# United States Statutes at Large/Volume 4/20th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 77

Chap. LXXVII.—An Act to establish a southern judicial district in the territory of Florida.
Another judicial district to be established in Florida, to be called the southern district, &c. Judge to be appointed, who may appoint a clerk for said court. Attorney and marshal’s salaries, &c.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there shall be established another judicial district in the territory of Florida, to be called the southern district, embracing all that part of the territory which lies south of a line from Indian river on the east, and Charlotte harbour on the west, including the latter harbour; which said court shall exercise all the jurisdiction within said district as the other superior courts, respectively, exercise within their respective districts, and shall be subject to all the laws which govern or regulate the same; and there shall be appointed for said district a judge, and he is hereby authorized to appoint a clerk ​for said court. There shall also be appointed an attorney and marshal, who shall exercise all the duties, give the same bond and security, and be entitled to the same salaries, fees, and compensation, that is now allowed by law to attorneys and marshals in other districts in the territory.
Stated sessions of said courts.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the stated sessions of said court shall be held on the first Mondays of May and November annually, at Key West; and such other intermediate sessions, from time to time, as the judge in his discretion may think advisable and necessary. The judge shall reside at the island of Key West, and shall be entitled to receive, as a salary for his services, two thousand dollars per annum, to be paid quarterly, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Where in any case concerning wrecked property, &c., the judge shall have determined the rate of salvage, to be allowed to salvors.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That whenever, in any case concerning wrecked property, or property abandoned at sea, the judge aforesaid shall have determined the rate of salvage to be allowed to salvors, it shall be his duty, unless the salvage decreed shall have been adjusted, without recourse to vessel and cargo, to direct such proportion of salvage to be paid to the salvors in kind; and that the property saved shall be divided accordingly, under the inspection of the officers of the court, and before it shall have been taken out of the custody of the revenue officers.
Articles in the cargo of a perishable nature, a sale of them to be directed.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That whenever it shall be ascertained, to the satisfaction of the judge of said court that any of the property saved is, from its character, not susceptible of being divided in the manner proposed, or that there are articles in the cargo of a perishable nature, it shall be his duty to direct a sale of the same, for the benefit of all concerned.
Property remaining after the portion adjusted to the salvors, not to be removed from such stores as may be used for public purposes. No vessel to be employed as a wrecker, unless under the authority of the judge of said court, &c.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the property remaining, after separating the portion adjudged to the salvors shall not be removed from such store as may be used for public purposes, nor disposed of in any other way, within nine months, unless by the order of the owners, or of their authorized agents: and that the duties accruing upon such property may be secured at any port in the United States, where the owners may reside.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That no vessel shall be employed as a wrecker, unless under the authority of the judge of said court; and that it shall not be lawful to employ on board such vessel, any wrecker who shall have made condition with the captain or supercargo of any wrecked vessel, before or at the time of affording relief.
Approved, May 23, 1828.