What did the founders believe natural rights to mean?

The founders believed natural rights to be inherent, inalienable rights that every individual possesses simply by being human. These rights, often articulated as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, were seen as universal and not granted by any government. The founders held that the primary role of government was to protect these rights, and any infringement upon them was unjustifiable. This philosophy significantly influenced the drafting of foundational documents such as the Declaration of Independence.