Volume 71
Public Law 85–158
Transferring to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico certain archives and records in possession of the National Archives.
Approved August 21, 1957
Statutory text
JOINT RESOLUTION
Transferring to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico certain archives and records in possession of the National Archives.
Whereas the last paragraph of article VIII of the Treaty of Paris of 1898,
between the Crown of Spain and the United States stated that “In the aforesaid relinquishment or cession, as the case may be, are also included such rights as the Crown of Spain and its authorities possess in respect of the official archives and records, executive as well as judicial, in the islands above referred to, which relate to said islands or the rights and property of their inhabitants. Such archives and records shall be carefully preserved, and private persons shall without distinction have the right to require, in accordance with law, authenticated copies of the contracts, wills, and other instruments forming part of notarial protocols or files, or which may be contained in the executive or judicial archives, be the latter in Spain or in the islands aforesaid”; and
Whereas a considerable number of documents which relate to Puerto Rico and its inhabitants are now housed in the National Archives; and
Whereas with the creation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, it is fitting that such documents be now placed in the custody of the Government of the said Commonwealth: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Puerto Rico.
Archives and records.
That the official archives and records, executive and judicial, of the former Spanish authorities in Puerto Rico, now deposited with the National Archives of the United States, including those relating to rights and properties of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, shall be transferred to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico at its own expense: Provided, That the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (1) agrees to accept and carry out the obligations of the last paragraph of article VIII of the Treaty
of Paris aforesaid, and (2) makes provisions for the safekeeping, repair, and preservation of such archives and records in fireproof, air-conditioned storage space under professional archival direction: Provided further, That the Administrator of General Services shall determine that the conditions imposed by (1) and (2) above have been met prior to his release of such archives and records for transfer to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Approved August 21, 1957.