...definition. It would enable the legislature to accomplish that indirectly, which it could not do directly. Upon principle, every statute, which takes away or...considerations already past, must be deemed retrospective ; and this doctrine seems fully supported by authorities." The reasoning in these authorities, as to...

...judges of this Court, and it is a definition which admits of an accurate and practical application. " Upon principle, every statute, which takes away or...attaches a new disability , in respect to transactions already past, must be deemed retrospective."* There is something in the very nature of all just legislation,...

...very article, in the circuit court for the first circuit. The learned judge of that circuit, says, " every statute which takes away, or impairs, vested rights,- acquired under existing laws, must be deemed retrospective."* That all such laws are retrospective, was decided also in the case...

...otherwise no writ of possession shall issue." § 372. Mr. Justice Story, after laying down the rule that " every statute which takes away or impairs vested rights...considerations already past, must be deemed retrospective," placed his decision in the case last cited on the ground, that before the passage of the act, the demandants...

...we are now contending it cannot do directly. Upon principle, every statute which, as to the citizen, takes away or impairs vested rights acquired under existing laws, or creates a new obligation, or imposes a new duty, or attaches a new disability in respect to transactions or considerations already...

...contemplates or affects an act done, or a right accrued before its passage ; an ex 2Jost facto law.* Every statute which takes away or impairs vested rights acquired under existing laws, or creates a now obligation, imposes a new duty, or attaches a new disability in respect to transactions or considerations...

...very article, in the Circuit Court for the First Circuit. The learned judge of that circuit says : " Every statute which takes away or impairs vested rights, acquired under existing laws, must be deemed retrospective." * That all such laws are retrospective was decided also in the case...

...grounds of the action, or the grounds of the defence."1 And it was observed by Judge Story, that " Upon principle, every statute which takes away or...considerations already past, must be deemed retrospective ; and this doctrine seems fully supported by authorities."2 § 778. But in order to render an act retrospective...

...or retroactive laws, as the terms are used in this connection, is meant the law which takes away and impairs vested rights acquired under existing laws,...respect to transactions or considerations already passed." This language will be found (substantially) in 23 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law (1st Ed.), p. 155, but...

...prospective, and not retrospective, in its operation. Every statute which takes away or impairs a vested right acquired under existing laws, or creates a new obligation,...new duty, or attaches a new disability, in respect of transactions or considera- • tions already past, must be deemed retrospective7 in its operation,...