In the last days of President
Thomas Jefferson's
presidency, the
United States Congress replaced the
Embargo Act of 1807 with the almost unenforceable 'Non-Intercourse Act' of March 1809. This Act lifted all embargoes on
American shipping except for those bound for
British or
French ports. The intent was to damage the economies of the United Kingdom and France. Like its predecessor, the Embargo Act, it was mostly ineffective, and contributed to the coming of the
War of 1812. In addition, it seriously damaged the economy of the United States.The Non-Intercourse Act was followed by
Macon's Bill Number 2.