United States v. Bruan

BETTS, District Judge.

This is an action of debt to recover $351,216.72, the amount of several judgments rendered in this court, in favor of the plaintiff against the defendant. The defendant pleaded specially in bar of the action, that by act of congress of June 15, 1832 [4 Stat. 530], the secretary of the treasury was authorized to compromise and finally settle with the trustee of the late firm of Thomas H. Smith & Son all the claims of the United States upon the said firm and tb.eir securities upon such terms as he may deem most conducive to the interests of the United States, and avers…