[zzeeman]

I did a quick read through of the case that you linked, I am not sure I am following the relationship to the "What Supreme Court case allows for the use of MI v Congressional assembled and approved agencies?" question.

To this layman it sounds like the Court affirmed the judgement that the Court of Claims isn't the appropriate venue to settle these types of disputes (i.e., any disputes that would necessitate the revelation of secret pacts of a broad variety).

What am I missing?

[philman_36]

It was a private contract direct from POTUS.

...a contract for secret services during the war made between the President and the claimant.

He was a military HUMINT asset during the Civil War.

[philman_36]

The service stipulated by the contract was a secret service; the information sought was to be obtained clandestinely, and was to be communicated privately; the employment and the service were to be equally concealed. Both employer and agent must have understood that the lips of the other were to be forever sealed respecting the relation of either to the matter.

Lincoln didn't ask for permission from anybody to send him in.