University of Virginia Library

4196. JURY (Trial by), Common sense of Jurors.—

It is better to toss up cross and
pile in a cause than to refer it to a judge
whose mind is warped by any motive whatever,
in that particular case. But the common
sense of twelve honest men gives a still better
chance of just decision, than the hazard of
cross and pile.—
Notes on Virginia. Washington ed. viii, 372. Ford ed., iii, 236.
(1782)