Stowe v. United States

APPEAL from the Court of Claims, the case as found by that court being this:

In October, 1863, the quartermaster's department entered into a written contract with one Stowe, to deliver mixed grain at certain prices agreed on. The contract was fulfilled, and a balance found due upon it to Stowe. The government having neglected to pay a portion of this balance, Stowe, at the request of one White, executed a power of attorney-in blank as respected the name of the attorney-to get the balance yet claimed as due. The power authorized _____ for the principal, Stowe, to collect and receive any and all moneys due and coming due to him the said Stowe, 'and to make, execute, and deliver to any officer or person authorized by the government to pay said moneys a good and sufficient release, acquittal or receipt for the same, or any part that may be paid to my said attorney, and generally to do any and all things necessary in the premises.' This power in blank Stowe delivered to White. It was not executed before two witnesses, but was acknowledged before and witnessed by a notary public.

An act of Congress of February 26th, 1853, in force at the time of these transactions, enacted: 'That all transfers and assignments of any claim upon the United States,. . . and all powers of attorney. . . for receiving payment of any such claim, or any part or share thereof, shall be absolutely null and void, unless the same shall be freely made and executed in the presence of at least two attesting witnesses.'

The government still declining to pay the balance, White filled the blank in the power with the name of two attorneys, one being Mr. Fuller, and instructed him to bring suit in the Court of Claims against the government. Mr. Fuller appearing as the attorney did accordingly file a petition in the name of Stowe, 'to the use and benefit of White,' and in it he represents that 'White furnished the grain delivered to the United States.' Stowe did not communicate with Mr. Fuller, the attorney of record, until after the suit was brought, nor did he authorize its institution, unless such authority was conferred by the power of attorney. Subsequently, with knowledge of the facts, he suffered the suit to proceed and co-operated with White in its prosecution. While the action was still pending, a settlement was effected between White and the government; and the money agreed on by the settlement to be paid, was paid to White. Stowe was not a party to this settlement, but he allowed it to proceed without objection or disclosure of any adverse interest. The suit was not formally discontinued, because the law officers of the government were not advised of the settlement.

Stowe afterwards, by leave of the court, filed an amended petition, in which he represented that he, Stowe, had furnished the grain; and that though he had given to White a power of attorney in blank, yet that the power was not intended to, and did not, confer any power or authority on White or any attorney to do more than prosecute the claim to settlement, and to receive any draft in the name of him, Stowe, for any amount that should be admitted as due. He now accordingly prayed payment to himself for the grain already paid for to White, in the way abovementioned.

The Court of Claims on hearing the case dismissed it on the ground of the conclusiveness of the settlement with White, and from this, its action, Stowe took this appeal.

Mr. Reverdy Johnson, for the appellant, argued that under the act of Congress of 1853 the power of attorney, not being attested by two witnesses, was 'absolutely null and void,' and that this being so, the right of Stowe to receive the sum was absolute, and could not be destroyed by the doings of the counsel who prosecuted the claim, and misrepresented (unintentionally it was conceded) the relation of White to the matter.

Mr. S. F. Phillips, Solicitor-General, contra.

Mr. Justice DAVIS delivered the opinion of the court.