THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT
Composed by William Bradford
Adopted November 11, 1620
This Compact, drawn up in the cabin of the Mayflower, was not a
constitution, a document defining and limiting the functions of
government. It was, however, the germ of popular government in America.
Governor Bradford makes this reference to the circumstances under which
the Compact was drawn up and signed:
"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."
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 Great Britain,
France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc., having undertaken,
for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor
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 politic, 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 hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the
11 of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King
James, of England, France, and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland
the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.
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