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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
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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