In Jefferson’s mind “the natural rights of man” were enjoyed by Jefferson’s ancient tribal ancestors of Europe, were lived out during Jefferson’s life by some of the tribal peoples of North America, and were written about most explicitly sixty years before Jefferson’s birth by John Locke, whose writings were widely known and often referenced in pre-revolutionary America.
Sa isip Jefferson ni "ang natural na mga karapatan ng tao" ay tatangkilikin ng mga sinaunang panlipi mga ninuno ng Europa Jefferson ni, ay nanirahan out sa panahon ng buhay Jefferson sa pamamagitan ng ilan sa mga panlipi mamamayan ng Hilagang Amerika, at ay nakasulat tungkol sa pinaka-tahasang animnapung taon bago kapanganakan Jefferson sa pamamagitan ng John Locke, na ang kasulatan ay malawak na kilala at madalas na reference sa pre-rebolusyonaryo America.