What did the term natural rights mean to thomas Jefferson?

To Thomas Jefferson, the term "natural rights" referred to fundamental human rights that are inherent and unalienable, bestowed by nature or a higher power rather than granted by government. These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which Jefferson famously articulated in the Declaration of Independence. He believed that the purpose of government is to protect these rights, and when it fails to do so, the people have the right to alter or abolish it. Jefferson's emphasis on natural rights was foundational to his vision of a democratic society rooted in individual freedom and equality.