<P> In 1776 , the notion that no one is above the law was popular during the founding of the United States . For example , Thomas Paine wrote in his pamphlet Common Sense that `` in America , the law is king . For as in absolute governments the King is law , so in free countries the law ought to be king ; and there ought to be no other . '' In 1780 , John Adams enshrined this principle in the Massachusetts Constitution by seeking to establish `` a government of laws and not of men . '' </P>
who wrote the first code of law that was not subject to the king 's will
John Adams