The first governing document of Plymouth Colony. Written by the 'Separatists' who were passengers on the Mayflower. It was signed by forty-one members while the ship was anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbour. The original has been lost, but its text read approximately thus:
'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 advancements of the Christian faith and 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 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 hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the 11th 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, 1620.'
(The "eighteenth" and the "fifty-fourth" at the end refer to the number of years James had ruled in England and Scotland.)
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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