In 1819, the Adams-Onis treaty ceded Florida from Spain to the United States. Florida became an organized territory of the United States on March 30, 1822, and, under the direction of Governor William Duval, began establishing infrastructure and regulation.
On September 16 of that same year, the Legislative Council for the Territory of Florida approved an act providing for the appointment of pilots within the limits of their respective ports, to regulate the anchorage, mooring, It was not until February 28, 1839, that Act No. 17 specified that the Florida Territory shall appoint three “discreet and proper” persons to act as port wardens for the harbor of Tampa Bay. The port wardens were then given the authority within the limits of their respective ports, to regulate the anchorage, mooring and dockage of vessels. This act essentially established the process and administration of the Commissioners of Pilotage who were licensed by the port wardens. In Act No. 17, Section 6 it specifies:
“…That the said board (of Port Wardens) within the limits of their respective ports, shall constitute a board of commissioners of pilotage, and shall appoint and license such other persons as may be deemed most fit and proper, to act as pilots for the ports or harbors aforesaid, respectively; which persons so licensed, shall hold their branches during good behavior; and the said board of commissioners shall require from said pilots, such a bond and security, for the faithful performance of the duty required of him or them, as the said board of commissioners shall deem proper; which bonds shall be made payable to the governor of the Territory, and his successor in office; and the pilots so appointed shall, moreover, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, well and truly to execute and discharge all the duties required of him or them as pilots; and the said commissioners of pilotage shall have power to establish rates, and define rules and regulations for the government of the pilots; which rates, rules and regulations, shall be officially promulgated, by publishing in any newspaper in the districts, respectively.”
FLORIDA MARITIME 