THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT:


"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."

There followed the signatures of 41 of the 102 passengers, 
37 of whom were members of the "Separatists" who were fleeing 
religious persecution in Europe. This compact established the 
first basis in the new world for written laws. Half the colony 
failed to survive the first winter, but the remainder lived on 
and prospered.


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Prepared by Gerald Murphy (The Cleveland Free-Net - aa300)
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