Murphy v. United States

A,claim against the United States for damages which a contractor alleged he had sustained was, by the appropriate department, adjusted upon a basis to which he agreed. He accepted the sum allowed, and gave a receipt therefor in full. Held, that the acceptance of the sum is a bar to his suit for the same claim.

Appeal from the Court of Claims. ■Murphy entered into a written contract with‘the United States.for excavating a portion of the pit for a dry dock, and was paid-at'the contract price for all the work which he performed. He subsequently presented to the Navy Department a claim ■for damages suffered by reason of certain alleged violations of the contract, and for extra work. The department adopted a basis of adjustment, to which he agreed; and there was paid to him a certain sum, which, upon full information as to the principles upon which it was awarded, he- accepted, and gave a ■receipt in full. • He some time thereafter brought suit in the court below for the same claim, adding, however, a further item, of which there was no proof.' The court dismissed the petition, and he appealed.