“ The suit was founded on the petition of Adams, claiming a balance against the government on contracts with General Fremont, commanding the Western Military District, for the construction of a certain number of mortar-boats and steam tug-boats, to be used on the Western rivers in the late civil war. The contracts were alleged to have been made on or about the 24th of August, 1861, for the mortarboats, at a cost of $8250 each; and on or about the 10th of September following, for the steam tug-boats, at the cost of $2500 each. ”

“ And, in consequence of representations of frauds and irregularities committed by General McKinstry, the chief quartermaster of the army of this military district, who had charge of making contracts for supplies and materials necessary for equipping the troops for the expedition contemplated, and who made the contracts, among many others, in question, the Secretary of War, by order of the President, suspended payments upon all contracts within the department until an investigation could be had into the charges thus made. ”

“ For building 8 cabins for tug-boats for the United
States, as per contract herewith, dated September
20, 1861, by Major McKinstry, quartermaster, for
$1800 each,....................... 14,400
Deduct amount already paid,........ 9,000
Balance,........................... $25,400
Notes
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105) . ”