In the case of New Orleans Pacific Railway Company v. United States, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether the United States had the right to take possession of a railway line owned by the New Orleans Pacific Railway Company. The railway line was built with the help of a loan from the United States, and the government had the right to take possession of the line if the loan was not repaid. The railway company argued that the government had no right to take possession of the line, as the loan had been repaid in full. The Supreme Court held that the government did have the right to take possession of the railway line. The Court found that the loan agreement between the government and the railway company gave the government the right to take possession of the line if the loan was not repaid. The Court also found that the railway company had not fully repaid the loan, and thus the government had the right to take possession of the line. The Court also held that the government had acted in good faith in taking possession of the line, and that the railway company had not been harmed by the government's actions.

In the case of New Orleans Pacific Railway Company v. United States, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a railroad company could be held liable for damages caused by its negligence in failing to provide adequate safety measures and equipment on its trains. The majority opinion found that the railway company was not liable because it had acted with reasonable care under all circumstances. Justice Field dissented from this decision, arguing that there is no reason why a corporation should not be held responsible for injuries resulting from its own negligence or wrongful acts when such conduct results in harm to another person or property. He argued that corporations are capable of being negligent just like any other individual and should therefore bear responsibility for their actions if they cause injury or damage as a result thereof.