The English... justified their grabbing of Indian land by claiming that these simple folk did not really believe in property rights. On the contrary, Williams observed, 'the Natives are very exact and punctual in the bounds of their Lands, belonging to this or that Prince or People,' even bargaining among themselves for a small piece of ground.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Williams observed that Native Americans had precise land boundaries and property rights, countering claims they did not believe in property.
- In plain terms
- Native people had clear land boundaries and traded for small pieces, proving they valued property.
- What can you take from it?
- Question justifications that deny others' rights to land and property.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How is property defined across cultures?
- Who validates land claims?
Another view
The observation focuses on boundaries but may not cover broader concepts of communal property.
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