Case Name: Elijah S. Alvord, appellant, v. The United States, appellees
Court: Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1877-11-12
Citations: 13 Ct. Cl. 516
Docket Number: 
Parties: Elijah S. Alvord, appellant, v. The United States, appellees.
Judges: 
Reporter: United States Court of Claims Reports
Volume: 13
Pages: 516–516

Head Matter:
ALVORD’S CASE.
(9 C. Cls. R., 500; 95 U. S. R., 356.)
Elijah S. Alvord, appellant, v. The United States, appellees.
On the claimant’s Appeal.
A mail contractor performs extra service in carrying the California mail over his route, the usual route therefor being interrupted. Be presents his claim for the extra service to the Postmaster-General, who replies that if it he pressed, a certain oilier service of the contractor, having several months to run, will he discontinued. The Postmaster-General has the right to discontinue this at any time. While that service is. still being rendered, the contractor presents documents to prove the justice of his claim for the California mail, and presses his demand by personal intervieivs with the Second Assistant Postmaster-General, with, whom the business relating to the claim has been transacted. That officer does not inform the Postmaster-General that the claim is thus pressed. The contractor continues to perform the existing mail service mid to reap the benefit of it.
Tlie court below liolcls that this estops him from recovering for the California mail service. Judgment for the defendants. The claimant appeals.
The judgment of the court below is reversed on the grounds, (1) That the facts didnot constitute an estoppelm pais; (2) That the claimant’s pressing his claim upon the Second Assistant Postmaster-General was in effect dealing with'the Postmaster-General; (3) That the service rendered by the claimant in carrying the California mail over his route was additional to the service contemplated by the contract.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Miller
delivered tlie opinion of tlie Supreme Court, November 12, 1877.