Mr. TKICE, of Massachusetts. I move to amend by adding to the section last read the following: And provided further, That all goods.wares and merchandisein bondedwarehouses or on ship board and bound to the U.S.from any foreign port, when this act shall take effect shall be subject to the conditionsand ratesofduty which wereapplicable to said goods.wares and merchandiseat the time of the passageof this act. I presume, Mr. Chairman, it is not the purpose of this House to pass any act which shall take improper advantage of the merchants of the country. But, if I am correct in my reading of this bill, it will, unless we adopt such a provision as I now propOse, take im mediate effect, and will operate not only upon goods that may be hereafter ordered but upon those now on ship board and in bonded ware houses. Now, sir, it seems to me of the high est importance that our legislation should be such as to maintain the condence of the people in the fairness and integrity of the Govern.ment in its dealings with them. The merchants of the country those who have goods at present in bonded warehouses or on ship boardhave imported or ordered those goods with the understanding and belief that the Government would allow them the advantage of existing laws. No man of integrity, dealing with another man in a mercantile transaction, would, simply because he had the power, change the terms of an existing contract to the profit of himselfand the injury of the person with whom he might be dealing. This principle which reg ulates the transaction of individuals should not, it seems to me, be disregarded by the Government. I believe, sir, that the provision embraced in the amendment which I have offered corresponds With the uniform practice of the government except during a time of war. During a time of war we are not bound to pursue the ordinary course of legislation because we are subject to that necesSity which knows no law. But now, in a time of peace, when trade and commerce are seeking revival upon an equi table and fair basis, it seems to me of the utmost consequence that the Government shall hdo t such measures as shall inspire all classes oft e people with a confidence that they shall not be may c to suffer the consequences of on change in the law until reasonable notice ofsuch change has been given. Here the hammer fell.]