Case Name: WILLARD, SUTHERLAND & CO. v. THE UNITED STATES
Court: Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1923-06-04
Citations: 58 Ct. Cl. 712
Docket Number: 
Parties: WILLARD, SUTHERLAND & CO. v. THE UNITED STATES.
Judges: 
Reporter: United States Court of Claims Reports
Volume: 58
Pages: 712–712

Head Matter:
WILLARD, SUTHERLAND & CO. v. THE UNITED STATES.
[56 C. Cls. 413; 262 U.S. 489.]
Judgment was rendered in favor of the United States in the court below. On appeal the judgment was affirmed, and the Supreme Court decided:
A contract for the purchase of coal by the Government at a stated price per ton which does not require the Government to take, or limit its demand to, any ascertainable quantity, is unenforceable, for lack of consideration and mutuality.
Such a contract, however, becomes valid and binding to the extent to which it is performed, and a party who, abandoning an earlier protest, voluntarily delivers coal under the contract, is limited to the contract price, and can not recover more from the United States.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Butler
delivered the opinion of the Supreme Court June 4,1923.