Totten v. United States
United States Supreme Court
92 U.S. 105 (1875)
- Written by Tanya Munson, JD
Facts
William A. Lloyd (plaintiff) entered into a contract with President Lincoln (defendant) after the start of the Civil War in 1861. Lloyd was to head south behind rebel lines and act as a secret agent. Lloyd agreed to report back to the president about any information he could ascertain regarding numbers of troops stationed at certain points, plans of forts and fortifications, and any other information that may have been beneficial to the United States in exchange for $200 a month. Lloyd spent the duration of the war in the confederate states and collected and transmitted information to the president. Once the war was over, Lloyd was only reimbursed for his expenses and not paid the agreed-upon $200. Lloyd’s estate brought an action in the court of claims to recover compensation for Lloyd’s services.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Field, J.)
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