Mr. SUMNER. do not pretend to an I hope my friend will understand me that their report is, technically, in the form of a judgment of a court; but I do submit that under the circumstances of the case it is to be taken by us as of similar value. It is the finding of a tribunal created to consider this very question. Sir, do we not almost every day act in the judgment of the Court of Claims, sitting in another part of this building? We accept their deliberations, and do not undertake to open their judg nents, except in rare cases. I do not mean to say that the Senate may not Open the judgment of the Court of Claims, nor do I say they may not, if they choose, open the finding of this tribunal which has been constituted under a resolution of the Senate; but I submit that you have before you a properauthority for your conclusion, and I as you, why go behind their report, especinll when that report is commende by the Navy Dept itself, and by the Naval Committee of the Senate? The case seems to me to be unanswerable; it is impregnable. I put it, 1st, on the ground of original equity, growing out of the abnor mal condition of war; in the 2nd piece, I put it upon the ground that it has been heard and considered by a tribunal practically of your own selectionand I may add, in the 3rd place, that all this has been admitted and recognized by a committee of your body. I be c you will not hesitate to do justice. Mr. HENDERSON. I suppose the Senfrom Massachusetts is perfectl familiar with this report, and as [know but little about iIt rise merely for the purpose of getting some information in order to guard myself in my vote. I desire to ask him if the board constituted under the resolution of the Senate heard any evidence whatever beyond that which was presented by the contractors themselves. I call his attention to.the minutes of the board: “The board. after a critical examination of the bills ofeost presentedby the several contractors for vessels and steam machinery contracted for in the years 1862and 1863, who have a ipearrd and made sworn statements, has determine the excessof cost in the several cases, over and above the contract price and allowance for extra work. to beasfollows." The minutes of their proceeding do not show that they heard any testimony whatever except that which was brought by the contractors themselves, the bills of cost which they presented and which.they swore were the 1ills that entered into the construction of these vessels. I ask the Senator if he has any information on that subject, whether they were authorized, or whether they did take other testimony than that which was presented to them? I suppose they were authorized to do so.