MAYFLOWER COMPACT

Governor Bradford’s Account

The mayflower compact, first written constitution in America, was signed by 41 adult, male passengers aboard the Mayflower, November 11, 1620, off Cape Cod, prior to the landing at Plymouth. This version by William Bradford, second governor of the colony, is taken from page 54 of his “History of the Plymouth Plantation” written during the years 1630-1648. The whereabouts of the original compact is unknown. It is thought to have been destroyed by fire during the colony’s early years.

… Acte by them done (this their condition con­sidered) might be as firme as any patent; and in some respects more sure. 

The forme was as followeth, 

In ye name of God Amen. We whose names are underwriten, the Loyal subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord King James, by ye Grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc, & Ireland King, defender of ye faith, &c having undertaken, for ye glorie of God, and advancemente 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 togeather into a civill body politick; for our better ordering, & preservation & furtherance of ye ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to Enacte, Constitute, and frame Shuch just & equall lawes, ordinances, Acts, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye generall good of ye colonie: Unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd Ye.11. of November, in ye year of ye raigne of our severaigne Lord King James of England, France, & Ireland ye eighteenth, and of Scotland ye fiftie-forth.

Ano: Dom. 1620

After this they chose, or rather confirmed Mr. John Carver (a man Godly & well approved amongst them) their Governour for that year. And after they had provided a place for their goods, or comone store, (which were long in unlading for want of boats, foulnes of ye winter weather, and sicknes of diverce) and begune some small cot­tages for their habitation; as time would admitte they mette and consulted of lawes; & orders, both for their civill, & military Governmente, as ye ne­cessitie of their condition did require, still adding thereunto as urgent occasion in severall times, and as cases did require.

In these hard & difficulte beginnings they found some discontents & murmurings arise amongst some, and mutinous speeches & carriags in other; but they were soon quelled, & overcome, by ye wisdome, patience, and just & equall carrage of things, by ye Govr: and better part wch clave faith­fully together in ye maine: But that which was most sadd, & lamentable, was, that in .2. or .3. moneths time halfe of their company dyed, espe­tialy in Jan: & February, being ye depth of winter, and wanting houses & other comforts; being in­fected with ye scurvie & …