The statement that offers the best assessment of John Locke’s influence on the Founders of the U.S. is: John Locke’s views about natural rights were evident in the Declaration of Independence.
John Locke's philosophy, particularly his ideas on natural rights (life, liberty, and property), significantly influenced the Founding Fathers, especially in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, which emphasizes the rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."