Jurisdiction of a court to try and decide such cases as were cognizable by the courts of law under the English common law ; the jurisdiction of those courts which exercise their judicial powers according to the course of the .common law. People v. McGowan. 77 111. 044, 20 Am. Rep. 254; In re Conner, 39 Cal. 98. 2 Am. Rep. 430; U. S. v. Power, 27 Fed. Cas. GOT