Grinnell v. Railroad Company was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1881. The case involved a dispute between the Grinnell family and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company. The Grinnells had owned a large tract of land in Iowa, and the railroad company had built a line through the property without obtaining the Grinnells' permission. The Grinnells sued the railroad company for trespass and damages. The Supreme Court held that the railroad company was liable for trespass and damages. The Court found that the railroad company had acted negligently in building the line without obtaining the Grinnells' permission. The Court also held that the Grinnells were entitled to damages for the trespass, as well as for the loss of the use of the land. The Court's decision in Grinnell v. Railroad Company established the principle that landowners have a right to compensation when their property is used without their permission. This decision has been cited in numerous subsequent cases involving disputes between landowners and companies that use their land without permission.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Grinnell v. Railroad Company, arguing that the majority's decision was contrary to precedent and would lead to a dangerous expansion of federal power over state law. He argued that Congress had no authority under the Constitution or any statute to interfere with contracts between individuals and corporations created by state laws, as it did in this case. Furthermore, he noted that if Congress were allowed such expansive powers then states would be unable to protect their citizens from oppressive corporate practices since they could not pass legislation regulating them without fear of interference from Washington D.C.. Justice Field concluded his dissent by noting that allowing Congress such broad authority over private contracts would undermine both individual rights and states' rights protected under the Constitution.