John L. Brown, Appellant v. the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York, Respondents

Summary

The Court reversed the lower court and held that the contract between the plaintiff and the commissioners of public works, though originally lacking authority for certain work and not complying with statutory bidding requirements, was ratified by the 1871 legislative act and therefore is valid and enforceable; the later 1872 act does not affect its validity.