(A) 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. (B) ships. By this is understood neutral vessels. Free ships are sometimes considered as making free goods.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
1. Unconstrained; having power to follow the dictates of his own will. Not subject to the dominion of another. Not compelled to involuntary servitude. Used in this sense as opposed to “slave.” 2. Not bound to service for a fixed term of years; in distinction to being bound as an apprentice. 3. Enjoying full civic rights. 4. Available to all citizens alike without charge; as a free school. 5. Available for public use without charge or toll; as a free bridge. 6. Not despotic; assuring liberty; defending individual rights against encroachment by any person or class; instituted by a free people; said of governments, institutions, etc Webster. 7. Certain, and also consistent with an honorable degree in life; as free services, in the feudal law. 8. Confined to the person possessing, instead of being shared with others; as a free fishery. 9. Not engaged in a war as belligerent or ally; neutral; as in the maxim, “Free ships make free goods.” Free alms. The name of a species of tenure. See Frank Almoigne. Free and clear. The title to property is said to be “free and clear” when it is not incumbered by any liens; but it is said that an agreement to convey land “free and clear” is satisfied by a conveyance passing a good title. Meyer v^ Madreperla, 68 N. J. Law, 258, 53 Atl. 477, 96 Am. St. Rep. 536. Free bench. A widow’s dower out of copyholds to which she is entitled by the custom of some manors. It is regarded as an excrescence growing out of the husband’s interest, and is indeed a continuance of his estate. Wharton. Free bord. In old records. An allowance of land over and above a certain limit or boundary, as so much beyond or without a fence. Cowell; Blount. The right of claiming that quantity. Termes de la Ley. Free borough men. Such great men as did not engage, like the frank pledge men, for their decennier. Jacob. Free chapel. In English ecclesiastical law. A place of worship, so called because not liable to the visitation of the ordinary. It is always of royal foundation, or founded at least by private persons to whom the crown has granted the privilege. 1 Burn, Ecc. Law, 298. Free conrse. In admiralty law. A vessel having the wind from a favorable quarter is said to sail on a “free course,” or said to be “going free” when she has a fair (following) wind and her yards braced in. The Queen Elizabeth (D C.) 100 Fed. 876. Free entry, egress, and regress. An expression used to denote that a person has the right to go on land again and again as often as may be reasonably necessary. Thus, in the case ,of a tenant entitled to emblements. Free aahery. See Fishery. Free law. A term formerly used in England to designate the freedom of civil rights enjoyed by freemen. It was liable to forfeiture on conviction of treason or an infamous crime. McCafferty v. Guyer, 59 Pa. 116. Free services. In feudal and old English law. Such feudal services as were not unbecoming the character of a soldier or a freeman to perform; as to serve under his lord in the wars, to pay a sum of money, and the like. 2 Bl. Comm. 60, 61. Free shareholders. The free shareholders of a building and loan association are subscribers to its capital stock who are not borrowers from the association. Steinberger v. Independent B. & S. Ass’n, 84 Md. 625, 36 Atl. 439. Free ships. In international law. Ships of a neutral nation. The phrase “free ships shall make free goods” is often inserted in treaties, meaning that goods, even though belonging to an. enemy, shall not be seized or confiscated, if found in neutral ships. Wheat. Int. Law, 507, et seq.« Free socage. See Socage. Free tenure. Tenure by free services; freehold tenure Free warren.