To James Madison from William B. Giles (Abstract), [28 February 1805]
§ From William B. Giles
28 February 1805. “You will find enclosed the ‘Clearance Bill,’ as about to be passed—the 2d. Sec. of the original Bill is by a vote of the Senate rejected, & a strong disposition is discovered to refuse to punish offences against the territories of foreign nations. If you can suggest any amendment to it in its present form Be pleased to notice it in the course of the day.”1
RC (DLC). 1 p.; filed at the end of 1805; dated “Thursday”; date assigned here based on the fact that the bill was passed on Sunday, 3 Mar. 1805, and that the previous Thursday was 28 February.
1. The enclosure has not been found, but for “An act to regulate the clearance of armed merchant vessels,” 3 Mar. 1805, see 2:342–43.