Morrison Waite,
South Boston Iron Company v. United States…
“ United States Argued: April 19, 1886. --- In Clark v. U.S., 95 U.S. 539, it was decided that, to bind the United States, contracts by the navy department must be in writing, and signed by the contracting parties. Such, in the opinion of the court, was the effect of the act of June 2, 1862, (12 St. 411, c. 93,) now in force as sections 3744-3747, 512-515, Rev. St. ”
