"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&.
Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth.
Anno Domini, 1620."
The Mayflower Compact was the first constitution on the New World. It was written and signed on the Mayflower Novermber 11th, 1620. Gov. William Bradford relates the circumstances under which it came to be:
"This day, before we came to harbour, observing some not well affected to unity and concord, but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there should be an association and agreement, that we should combine together in one body, and to submit to such government and governors as we should by common consent agree to make and choose, and set our hands to this that follows, word for word. . ."
This compact established the first basis in the new world for written laws. The Pilgrims knew that the English settlement founded a few years earlier at Jamestown in Virginia had practically foundered because of the lack of a strong government and leadership. They would not make that mistake, and agreed that once a government had been established, they would obey the commands of its leaders.
Half of the colony failed to survive the first winter, but the remainder lived on and prospered.
Hey i think that what the Pilgrims did when they first got to America that was one of hte best things that they have ever done and will ever have done. If it was not for them then they would never have even thought about saying a thing like that. or like now the way we are all segregated and how if it was not for the pilgrims then we would have never even been that way. So i think that one of the best things that people should ever do is say Thank You to the Pilgrims and how they are very happy. so thank you very much for having that on the internet. Thanks Richard Anderson
Posted by: Richard Anderson | Thursday, 19 January 2006 at 02:01 PM