The Mayflower Compact 1620 / J.L.G. Ferris, Library of Congress; - July 28, 1932
The Mayflower Compact 1620 / J.L.G. Ferris, Library of Congress; - July 28, 1932
| After the Mayflower was
safely anchored, 41 pilgrim men signed an agreement which
established the system by which they wished to govern themselves.
This document has come to be known as The Mayflower Compact. The Compact was signed in the cabin of the Mayflower on 11 November, 1620 [old style calendar] or 21 November, 1620 [new style calendar]. |
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"In ye name of God, Amen. We whose names
are underwritten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord,
King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France, &
Ireland king, Defender of the Faith, etc. Haveing under-taken, for ye glorie of God, and advancements of ye Christian faith, and honour of our King & Countrie, a voyage to plant ye first colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly & mutually in ye presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves together into a Civill body politick, for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of ye ends aforesaid; and by vertue hearof to enacte lawes, ordinances, acts constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet & convenient for ye generall good of ye Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Codd ye 11th. of November, in ye year of ye raigne of our soveraigne lord, King James, of England, France, & Ireland ye eighteenth, and of Scotland, ye fiftie-fourth. Ano: Dom. 1620."
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Nathaniel Morton, Gov.
Bradford's nephew and secretary of Plymouth Colony' published the
list of signers in 1669 in New England's Memorial, a history
of the colony.
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