In Jones v. Clifton, the United States Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a contract between two parties was valid. The contract in question was between a landowner, Jones, and a tenant, Clifton. Jones had leased a portion of his land to Clifton for a period of five years. The contract stated that Clifton was to pay Jones a certain amount of money each year for the duration of the lease. The Supreme Court held that the contract was valid and enforceable. The Court noted that the contract was clear and unambiguous, and that both parties had agreed to its terms. The Court also noted that the contract was not unconscionable or against public policy. Therefore, the Court held that the contract was valid and enforceable. The Court also held that Jones was entitled to damages for breach of contract. The Court noted that Clifton had failed to pay the agreed-upon amount of money for the duration of the lease. Therefore, the Court held that Jones was entitled to damages for breach of contract.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Jones v. Clifton, arguing that the majority's decision was contrary to established law and precedent. He argued that a contract for personal services is not assignable unless it contains an express provision allowing assignment or there is evidence of mutual assent between both parties to allow such transferability. In this case, he noted that no such agreement existed and thus any purported assignment by Clifton was invalid as a matter of law. Furthermore, Justice Field pointed out that even if there had been some form of consent from Jones regarding the alleged assignment, his acceptance would have only applied to future payments due under the original contract - not those already past due at the time of purported transferral. As such, he concluded that Jones should be allowed recovery against Clifton for all amounts owed prior to any attempted assignment since they were still legally obligated on their original contract with each other regardless of any subsequent actions taken by either party thereafter.