In the United States Supreme Court case of The United States v. Thomas O. Larkin and John S. Missroon, the court was asked to determine whether a contract between two parties could be enforced in California when it had been made in Oregon before California became a state. The appellants argued that since Congress had not provided for contracts entered into prior to statehood, they were unenforceable under federal law; however, the respondents countered that such contracts should be recognized as valid under common law principles of equity and justice. After considering both sides’ arguments, the court ultimately held that while Congress did not provide specific legislation regarding pre-statehood contracts, those agreements should still be enforceable if they are just and equitable according to common law principles established by courts throughout history. This decision set an important precedent for future cases involving similar issues concerning pre-statehood contractual obligations in other states or territories within America's borders

In the case of The United States v. Thomas O. Larkin and John S. Missroon, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a treaty between Mexico and the United States gave citizens of both countries certain rights in California during its transition from Mexican rule to American control. The majority opinion held that such rights did not exist under this particular treaty, but Justice Curtis dissented on behalf of himself and two other justices, arguing that these rights were indeed granted by the terms of this agreement as well as by prior treaties between Mexico and America which had been ratified before 1848 when California became part of America's territory following their victory in war with Mexico. He argued that since these earlier agreements had never been abrogated or modified they should still be considered valid even after California changed hands politically; thus he concluded that citizens from either country should have full access to all legal remedies available within each nation’s jurisdiction regardless if it is currently controlled by one or another government at any given time period.