David Josiah Brewer

“ It is familiar law that an offer of reward conveys no right beyond the specific terms of the offer; that it may be withdrawn at any time; and that, unless prior to the withdrawal something has been done to complete a contract, or settle and establish a right under the offer, a claimant takes nothing by reason thereof. ”

“ It is emphatic that no right accrues. No clearer language could be used, and we may not, under the pretense of an equity, enlarge the scope of an offer beyond its express words. Is the claim so meritorious as to justify a strained construction of the language of the statute? What did the claimant do? ”

“ If the facts were otherwise, and a stronger claim for compensation was made out, can the letter of the secretary of the treasury be considered as an adjudication of the claim? It is conceded that such an adjudication is prerequisite to this action. The tenor of the secretary's letter is not to the effect that he is adjudicating upon the claim. ”