James Madison to James Monroe and William Pinkney, 3 [20] December 1806
To James Monroe and William Pinkney
Department of State Decr. 3rd. [20] 1806
Gentlemen
You will have seen by my letter of the 6th. inst. which went by sundry conveyances, that the bill suspending the non-intercourse1 act had passed the House of Representatives.2 I now enclose it in the form of a law,3 with an amendment providing for a further suspension by the Executive in case the state of things between the two countries should require it. In the Senate the vote for the Bill was unanimous.4 I add a continuation of the newspapers, and refer to these for the current information of a public nature. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, with great respect, Your most obed. servt.
James Madison
RC (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers); letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, IM, vol. 6); Tr (DNA: RG 233, President’s Messages, 10A-D1); letterpress copy of Tr (DNA: RG 46, Executive Proceedings, Foreign Relations, 10B-B1). RC in Wagner’s hand, signed by JM; dated 3 Dec. 1806; docketed twice by Monroe: 1) “3 decr 1806. Mr Madison to both” and 2) “31. decr 1806. Mr Madison.” Both the letterbook copy and the Tr date the letter 20 December 1806, and internal evidence suggests that 20 December is correct. For enclosure, see n. 3.
1. Both the letterbook copy and the Tr have “non importation.”
2. For House passage of the bill, see JM to Monroe and Pinkney, 6 Dec. 1806, and n. 1.
3. JM enclosed the 19 December 1806 “Act to suspend the operation of an act, intituled ‘An act to prohibit the importation of certain goods, wares and merchandise,’ and to remit the penalties incurred under the same” (, 2:411).
4. The Senate added the amendment JM referenced, providing for executive suspension if required, and then unanimously passed the bill on 12 December 1806 (, 9th Cong., 2d sess., 20).