United States Statutes at Large/Volume 5/25th Congress/3rd Session/Resolution 9
No. 9. A Resolution to authorize the purchase of an island in the river Delaware, called the Pea Patch, and for other purposes.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,Sec. War to take measures to try the title of the U. S. to Pea Patch island―how.
If not in the U. S., authorized to purchase―how. That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby authorized and required to take all necessary measures to try the title of the United States to the island in the Delaware commonly called the Pea Patch, by submitting all the questions growing out of the conflicting claims of the United States and the individual claimants, to the courts of law; and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the said Secretary, that the title is not vested in the United States, and that the possession thereof is indispensable to the public interests, he is hereby authorized to purchase the same from the legal owner or owners thereof, either by appraisement or such other manner as he may deem most expedient; subject to the approval of Congress.
Approved, March 3, 1839.