Facts of the Case
This case comes before us on appeal from the Court of Claims. The action was brought to recover compensation for services alleged to have been rendered by the claimant's intestate, William A. Lloyd, under a contract with President Lincoln, made in July, 1861, by which he was to proceed south and ascertain the number of troops stationed at different points in the insurrectionary states, procure plans of forts and fortifications, and gain such other information as might be beneficial to the government of the United States, and report the facts to the President; for which services he was to be paid $200 a month.
Conclusions
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An action cannot be maintained against the government in the Court of Claims upon a contract for secret services during the war made between the President and the claimant.
State Secrets Privilege: The Government’s Common Law National Security Privilege
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