Auffm'ordt v. Rasin was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1881. The case involved a dispute between two parties over a contract for the sale of a steamboat. The plaintiff, Auffm'ordt, had contracted with the defendant, Rasin, to purchase a steamboat for $2,000. Auffm'ordt paid the full amount, but Rasin refused to deliver the boat. The Supreme Court held that the contract was valid and enforceable. The Court found that the contract was supported by consideration, meaning that both parties had given something of value in exchange for the boat. The Court also found that the contract was not voidable due to any fraud or misrepresentation on the part of Rasin. The Court ordered Rasin to deliver the boat to Auffm'ordt and to pay damages for the delay in delivery. The Court also ordered Rasin to pay Auffm'ordt's costs and attorney's fees. This case established the principle that contracts are binding and enforceable, and that parties must fulfill their obligations under the contract.

In Auffm'ordt v. Rasin, the Supreme Court was tasked with deciding whether a contract between two parties could be enforced when it had been made in violation of an existing state law. The majority opinion held that such contracts were not enforceable and thus the plaintiff's claim should be dismissed. However, Justice Field dissented from this ruling on the grounds that there is no general principle prohibiting enforcement of contracts which violate state laws; rather, each case must be judged on its own merits to determine if enforcement would lead to injustice or public harm. He argued that since there was no evidence here suggesting either outcome, then it would have been wrong for the court to deny relief simply because one party violated a statute while attempting to fulfill their contractual obligations.