On February 12, 1812, Congress secretly authorized President James Madison to take possession of the portion of West Florida located west of the Perdido River that was not already in the possession of the United States, with authorization to use military and naval force as deemed necessary.
O 12 de febreiro de 1812, o Congreso foi autorizado de xeito secreto polo Presidente James Madison para tomar posesión da porción de Florida Occidental situada ao oeste do Río River que aínda non se encontraba en poder dos Estados Unidos, autorizándolle a empregar a forza militar e naval que fora necesaria.