The
Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, often referred to as the
Florida Territorial Council or
Florida Territorial Legislative Council, was the legislative body governing the American territory of
Florida (
Florida Territory) before statehood. The territory of Florida was acquired by the U.S. in 1821 under the
Adams–Onís Treaty. Replacing the form of
martial law that had existed in the territory since Florida was acquired, the
U.S. Congress in 1822 established a territorial government consisting of a governor, secretary, thirteen-member Legislative Council, and judiciary, all of whom were appointed by the
U.S. president.