The Mayflower Compact

The English have always had a liking for laws and government, so it's no surprise that before the Pilgrims set up housekeeping in Massachusetts, they first set up a government. The document they wrote is known as the Mayflower Compact, and is short and simple. Here is the entire text:

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, 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; Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord King James, of England, France and Ireland eighteenth and of Scotland fifty-fourth, Anno Domini 1620.

(signers)

John Carver - Richard Warren - John Turner - Edmon Margeson - William Bradford - John Howland -Francis Eaton Peter Brown Edward Winslow - Stephen Hopkins -James Chilton - Richard Britteridge - William Brewster - Edward Tilly - John Crackston - George Soule - Isaac Allerton - John Tilly - John Billington - Richard Clarke -Myles Standish - Francis Cooke - Moses Fletcher - Richard Gardiner - John Alden - Thomas Rogers - John Goodman - John Allerton - Samuel Fuller - Thomas Tinker - Degory Priest - Thomas English - Christopher Martin - John Rigdale - Thomas Williams -Edward Doty - William Mullins - Edward Fuller - Gilbert Winslow - Edward Leister - William White

Note: In honor of Thanksgiving, we have several posts on the Pilgrims which you might like. You can view them all at Wilmette.blogspot.com by clicking here.