Introduction: The Basic Rights of Human Beings

Activity 1: The Basic Rights of Human Beings

“Every Anglo-Texan was born with the notion he possessed unalienable rights” (T.R.
Fehrenbach, Lone Star, 189).
A. Based on this statement, what is the goal of human life? What basic rights do people
have? What is the connection between these basic rights and the goal of human life?
“All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights;
among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that
of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their
safety and happiness” (Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, March 2, 1780).
B. Based on this statement, how many basic rights do people have? Why these particular
rights? Why this number?
“Among the natural rights of the Colonists are these: First, a right to life; Secondly, to liberty;
Thirdly, to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they
can. These are evident branches of … the duty of self-preservation, commonly called the first
law of nature” (Samuel Adams, The Rights of the Colonists, November 20, 1772).

C. Based on this statement, who or what decides which basic rights human beings have?
What are “the immutable laws of nature”?
“That the inhabitants of the English Colonies in North America, by the immutable laws of
nature, the principles of the English Constitution, and the several charters or compacts … are
entitled to life, liberty, and property, & they have never ceded to any sovereign power whatever,
a right to dispose of either without their consent” (Declaration and Resolves of the First
Continental Congress, October 14, 1774).

D. Based on this statement, how many basic rights do people have? What does the word
“liberty” mean, in the context of our three basic rights?
“[The absolute rights of individuals] may be reduced to three principal or primary articles... I.
The right of personal security [consisting] in a person’s legal and uninterrupted enjoyment (that
is, use and possession) of his life, his limbs... II. ... The personal liberty of individuals ...
[consisting] in the power of locomotion, of changing situations or moving one’s person to
whatsoever place one’s own inclination may direct, without imprisonment, or restraint, unless by
due course of law.... III. The third absolute right, inherent in every Englishman ... of property:
which consists in the free use, enjoyment and disposal of all his acquisitions, without any control
or diminution, save only by the laws of the land” (Sir William Blackstone, Commentaries on the
Laws of England, 1765, Book I, Chapter 1).

For the right of women, see:

“FELONIOUS HOMICIDE is … the killing of a human creature, of any age or sex, without
justification or excuse” (William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England, Book 4,
Chapter 14, 1765-1769).

For the rights of Africans, see:

Upon these principles the law of England abhors, and will not endure the existence of, slavery
within this nation … And now it is laid down, that a slave or negro, the instant he lands in
England, becomes a freeman; that is, the law will protect him in the enjoyment of his person, his
liberty, and his property” (William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England, Volume
I, 411-413, 1766).