View all text of Chapter 31 [§ 1451 - § 1477]
§ 1458. Secretary to exercise certain powers over Territories
The Secretary of the Interior shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties in relation to the Territories of the United States that were, prior to March 1, 1873, by law or by custom exercised and performed by the Secretary of State.
(R.S. § 442.)