The principle, then, of the common law, was, that every freeman, or freeborn male Englishman, of adult age, &c;., was eligible to sit in juries, by virtue of his civil freedom, or his being a member of the state, or body politic.
Spooner discusses the eligibility of freemen to serve on juries under common law.
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The presumption clearly is that all were eligible.
All other laws, it is optional with each man to obey, or not, as he may choose.
One answer is, that this power, which juries have of judging of the law, is not a power of absolute decision in all cases.
And whenever any number of men, calling themselves a government, do anything to another man, or to his property, which they had no right to do as individuals they thereby declare themselves trespassers, robbers, or murderers, according to…