In Jones v. Randolph, the United States Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a contract between two parties was valid and enforceable. The contract in question was between a husband and wife, and it provided that the husband would pay the wife a certain sum of money each month for her support. The husband argued that the contract was invalid because it was not in writing, and the wife argued that it was valid because it had been agreed to orally. The Supreme Court held that the contract was valid and enforceable. The Court reasoned that the contract was supported by consideration, which is an essential element of a valid contract. The Court also noted that the contract was not against public policy, as it was not a contract for the sale of a wife's services. The Court also held that the contract was not voidable due to the husband's lack of capacity to contract. The Court noted that the husband was not a minor, and that he had not been declared mentally incompetent. Therefore, the Court concluded that the contract was valid and enforceable.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Jones v. Randolph, arguing that the majority's decision was inconsistent with prior Supreme Court precedent and should be overturned. He argued that under previous decisions of this court, a party who had been wrongfully dispossessed of their property could recover damages for such an injury even if they did not have legal title to it at the time of its taking. In this case, he noted that Jones had been wrongfully dispossessed by Randolph and thus deserved compensation for his loss regardless of whether or not he held legal title to the land at issue. Furthermore, Justice Field argued that since there were no other parties claiming ownership over the land in question before it was taken from Jones, then any claim made by Randolph would necessarily fail as well. As such, Justice Field concluded that Jones should be allowed to recover damages from Randolph for his wrongful act and urged reversal on appeal so as to restore justice in this matter.