Question

That the respondents, being treated on board said vessel, by said Ruis & Montes, & the Capt. & crew thereof with great cruelty and oppression, and being of right free as aforesaid were incited by the love of liberty natural to all men, and by the desire of returning to their families and kindred, to take possession of said vessel, while navigating the high seas as aforesaid near said Island of Cuba, as they had right to do, with the intent to return therein to their native country, or to reach an asylum in some free State where Slavery did not exist, in order that they might enjoy their liberty under the protection of its government

Plea of the Mende, November 19, 1839, in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut


Which defense is being exampled above

A. Government obligations regarding property laws

B. The Natural rights of free people

C. The Non-applicability of international treaty

D. The justifications for refuting salvage claims

Answer 1

This is an example of the defense of the natural rights of free people (B).

Natural rights are rights which are believed to be so self-evident that they cannot be questioned. The United States Declaration of Independence lists the following natural rights: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

This excerpt defends the natural right to liberty, as exemplified by such phrases as:

• "being of right free;"
• "the love of liberty natural to all men;"
• "enjoy their liberty."