American Minute - Nov. 12 - The Mayflower Compact

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

Storms blew the Pilgrims too far north to be under Jamestown's government, so they created their own - the Mayflower Compact.

It was the first constitution written in America.

It began:

"In ye name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord, King James, by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine, France, & Ireland king, defender of ye faith, etc.,

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..."

The Mayflower Compact continued:

"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...to enacte...such just & equall lawes...as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye generall good of ye Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience."

The Mayflower Compact ended:

"In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd ye 11 of NOVEMBER, Ano:Dom. 1620."