Van Wyck v. Knevals was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1882. The case involved a dispute between two parties over a contract for the sale of a steamboat. The plaintiff, Van Wyck, had contracted with the defendant, Knevals, to purchase a steamboat for $2,000. Knevals had agreed to deliver the boat to Van Wyck, but failed to do so. Van Wyck then sued Knevals for breach of contract. The Supreme Court held that Knevals was liable for breach of contract. The Court found that Knevals had failed to fulfill his contractual obligations and that Van Wyck was entitled to damages. The Court also held that Van Wyck was entitled to recover the full amount of the contract price, plus interest, as damages for the breach. The Court's decision in Van Wyck v. Knevals established the principle that a party who breaches a contract is liable for the full amount of the contract price, plus interest, as damages. This principle has been applied in numerous cases since then and is still used today.

In Van Wyck v. Knevals, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a state court had jurisdiction over an action brought by a non-resident against another non-resident in which both parties were citizens of different states. The majority opinion held that the state court did not have jurisdiction and dismissed the case. Justice Field dissented from this decision, arguing that it violated principles of comity between states as well as federalism itself. He argued that since there was no dispute between two or more states, allowing one state's courts to hear such cases would be beneficial for all parties involved and would promote interstate harmony rather than conflict. Furthermore, he noted that if each party is represented by counsel from their respective home states then any potential conflicts can easily be resolved without resorting to litigation in multiple jurisdictions or creating unnecessary delays due to jurisdictional disputes. In conclusion, Justice Field believed that denying jurisdiction in this case undermined important principles of federalism and comity among the various American States