
257 U.S. 125 (1921)
HUNT, EXECUTOR OF WEIGHEL,
v.
UNITED STATES.
No. 38.
Supreme Court of United States.
Argued October 17, 1921.
Decided November 7, 1921.
APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
*126 Mr. A.C. Travis and Mr. Burt E. Barlow, with whom Mr. A.R. Serven was on the brief, for appellant.
Mr. Assistant Attorney General Lovett, with whom Mr. Frank Davis, Jr., and Mr. Joseph Stewart, Special Assistants to the Attorney General, and Mr. Wm. D. Harris were on the brief, for the United States.
MR. JUSTICE CLARKE delivered the opinion of the court.
This is an appeal from a judgment of the Court of Claims in favor of the United States.
On January 17, 1895, appellant's decedent, William Weighed, entered into a written contract with the United States for the transportation of mail on route No. 235,001, "being coveredregulation wagon mail messenger, transfer, and mail station service," between designated points in the City of Chicago, Illinois, for the term of four years, commencing on July 1, 1895.
On February 6, 1895, Ezra J. Travis contracted in writing with Weighel to perform the entire contract for somewhat less than the latter was to receive from the Government. The Postmaster at Chicago and the Postmaster General were advised of this subletting, and for the entire four years during which Travis performed the contract he was recognized by the Post Office Department as a subcontractor, performing Weighel's obligations under the contract. The full amount stipulated for in the contract was paid by the Government, all payments being made to Weighel, who made settlement with Travis.
At the time Weighel bid on