The York and Maryland Line Railroad Company brought a case against Ross Winans in the Supreme Court. The company argued that they had purchased land from Winans for use as part of their railroad line, but he had failed to deliver all of the deeds necessary to complete the transaction. They sought damages for breach of contract and requested an injunction preventing him from selling any more property along their proposed route until he fulfilled his obligations under the agreement. In response, Winans claimed that he was not liable because there were other parties involved who should have been consulted before entering into such a contract with him. He also argued that some of the lands in question belonged to third parties who could not be bound by it without their consent or knowledge. Ultimately, however, the court found in favor of The York and Maryland Line Railroad Company on both counts: awarding them damages for breach of contract and granting an injunction prohibiting further sales along its proposed route until all outstanding issues were resolved between them and Ross Winans.

In the case of The York and Maryland Line Railroad Company v. Ross Winans, the dissenting opinion was that a state court had no jurisdiction to hear a dispute between two citizens of different states when it involved an interstate contract. The majority opinion held that such disputes should be heard in federal courts, but Justice McLean argued that this would lead to unnecessary delays and expense for litigants who could not afford them. He further argued that Congress had never intended for federal courts to have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving contracts made across state lines; rather, he believed they were meant only as an additional forum where parties could seek relief if their own state's laws did not provide adequate remedies or protection. In conclusion, Justice McLean maintained his position that allowing state courts to adjudicate these matters was consistent with both constitutional principles and congressional intent.