🚀 go-pugleaf

It has been stated here on gnu.misc.discuss and elsewhere that the
definition of "free" wrt gnu means unencumbered so that people are 
"free" to use existing source code NOT "free" as in cost.  This may 
be the definition in use today, but was it always so?

I quote from the "GNU Manifesto" found in the GNU Emacs Manual
First Edition, Emacs Version 16 which was dated June 1985 and
authored by Richard Stallman.  On page 183 at the bottom, I
quote:

"Once GNU is written, everyone will be able to obtain good system
software free, just like air.

This means much more than just saving everyone the price of a 
Unix license.  It means that much wasteful duplication of system
programming effort will be avoided.  This effort can go instead
into advancing the state of the art."

Of the 4 sentences quoted, the last two explicitly mean the
current definition of "free" as in unencumbered but the
first two sentences imply the lack of cost definition.  This
is implied in sentence 1 since air is used without cost.  In
sentence 2, he says "... saving everyone the price ...".  To
me, this is an explicit reference to the lack of cost definition
of "free".  

Thus, it appears as if Richard Stallman originally meant for 
"free" to mean BOTH definitions of "free".  Has the GNU 
definition of "free" been retconned?  Comments anyone?





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