UNITED STATES v. NASHVILLE, &C., R'Y CO.

MR. JUSTICE GRAY, after stating the case as above reported, delivered the opinion of the court.

It is settled beyond doubt or controversy — upon the foundation of the great principle of public policy, applicable to all governments alike, which forbids that the public interests should be prejudiced by the negligence of the officers or agents to whose care they are confided — that the United States, asserting...