Law Dictionary

To search for a particular term please use the following search box.

free

Not bound to servitude; at liberty to act as one pleases. This word is put in opposition to slave.

2. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states, which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. Const. U. S. art. 1, s. 2. 3. It is also put in contradistinction to being bound as an apprentice; as, an apprentice becomes free on attaining the age of twenty-one years.

4. The Declaration of Independence asserts that all men are born free, and in at sense, the term includes all mankind.

Source : Bouvier 1856

Language : English

Return

Return to Law Dictionary Index