In Vinal v. West Virginia Oil & Oil Land Company, the Supreme Court of the United States was asked to decide whether a contract between two parties was valid and enforceable. The contract in question was an agreement between the plaintiff, Vinal, and the defendant, West Virginia Oil & Oil Land Company, in which Vinal agreed to purchase a tract of land from the company. The Supreme Court held that the contract was valid and enforceable. The Court found that the contract was supported by consideration, meaning that both parties had given something of value in exchange for the agreement. The Court also found that the contract was not void for lack of mutuality, meaning that both parties had agreed to the same terms and conditions. Finally, the Court held that the contract was not void for lack of capacity, meaning that both parties had the legal capacity to enter into the agreement. The Court found that Vinal had the capacity to enter into the contract, as he was an adult and was not under any legal disability. The Court also found that the company had the capacity to enter into the contract, as it was a corporation and had the legal authority to enter into contracts. In conclusion, the Supreme Court held that the contract between Vinal and West Virginia Oil & Oil Land Company was valid and enforceable.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Vinal v. West Virginia Oil & Oil Land Company, arguing that the majority's decision was an incorrect interpretation of a contract between two parties. He argued that it was not within the court's power to interpret contracts and determine their meaning; rather, this should be left up to juries or other tribunals who are more familiar with local customs and practices. Furthermore, he noted that there were ambiguities in the language of the contract which could only be resolved by looking at extrinsic evidence such as parol testimony from witnesses or documents related to its formation. As such, Justice Field concluded that it would have been improper for him to make any determination on what either party intended when they entered into this agreement without considering all relevant facts and circumstances surrounding its creation.