This case was a dispute between the Chouteau family and the executor and trustee of the estate of Pierre Chouteau, Sr. The Chouteau family was seeking to recover the proceeds of a land sale that had been made by Pierre Chouteau, Sr. before his death. The executor and trustee argued that the proceeds of the sale belonged to the estate and should be distributed according to the terms of the will. The Supreme Court held that the proceeds of the sale belonged to the Chouteau family and not to the estate. The Court found that the sale was made by Pierre Chouteau, Sr. in his lifetime and that the proceeds of the sale were not subject to the terms of the will. The Court also held that the executor and trustee had no authority to distribute the proceeds of the sale to the estate. The Court's decision was a victory for the Chouteau family, as it allowed them to recover the proceeds of the sale and keep them for their own use. The decision also established that the proceeds of a sale made by an individual in his lifetime are not subject to the terms of his will.

In Chouteau & Others v. Barlow, Executor and Trustee, the Supreme Court was tasked with determining whether a certain tract of land in Missouri belonged to the United States or to private individuals who had purchased it from Pierre Chouteau Jr., an Indian trader. The majority opinion held that since the land had been acquired by treaty between the United States and France prior to 1803, when Louisiana became part of America, it belonged to the federal government. However, Justice Field dissented on this point arguing that even if such a treaty existed prior to 1803 it did not necessarily mean that title passed automatically upon ratification; rather he argued that there must have been some act taken after 1803 which would transfer ownership from France (or its successor) into American hands before any claim could be made by either party. He further noted that no such action had ever occurred in this case so as far as he was concerned title still remained with Pierre Chouteau Jr., making his sale valid and binding on all parties involved.