Sharp v. Stamping Company was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1881. The case involved a dispute between two companies, Sharp and Stamping Company, over a contract for the sale of goods. Sharp had agreed to purchase a large quantity of goods from Stamping Company, but Stamping Company failed to deliver the goods as promised. Sharp sued Stamping Company for breach of contract, and the case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court held that Stamping Company was liable for breach of contract. The Court found that Stamping Company had failed to fulfill its obligations under the contract, and that Sharp was entitled to damages for the breach. The Court also held that Sharp was entitled to recover the costs of the suit, including attorney's fees. In its decision, the Supreme Court established the principle that a party who breaches a contract is liable for damages, and that the non-breaching party is entitled to recover the costs of the suit, including attorney's fees. This decision has been cited in numerous subsequent cases, and is still an important part of contract law today.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Sharp v. Stamping Company, arguing that the majority's decision was contrary to established precedent and would lead to a dangerous expansion of judicial power. He argued that courts should not be allowed to interfere with contracts between private parties unless there is clear evidence of fraud or illegality. In this case, he noted that no such evidence existed; rather, it appeared as though one party had simply failed to fulfill its contractual obligations. As such, Justice Field believed it was inappropriate for the court to intervene on behalf of either party and instead urged them both to seek relief through other means outside of the judicial system. Furthermore, he warned against allowing courts too much discretion when interpreting contract law as this could lead down a slippery slope where judges are able override agreements made by two consenting adults without any legal justification whatsoever.