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), NPTN.

Here is a copy of a transcription of the rewrite of the original compact --

In y^e name of God Amen· We whose names are vnderwriten, the loyall subjects of our dread soueraigne Lord King James by y^e grace of God, of great Britaine, franc, & Ireland king, defender of y^e faith, &c

Haueing vndertaken, for y^e glorie of God, and aduancemente of y^e christian ^{^faith} and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant y^e first colonie in y^e Northerne parts of Virginia· doe by these presents solemnly & mutualy in y^e presence of God, and one of another, couenant, & combine our selues togeather into a ciuill body politick; for y^e our better ordering, & preseruation & fur=therance of y^e ends aforesaid; and by vertue hearof, to enacte, constitute, and frame shuch just & equall lawes, ordinances, Acts, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete & conuenient for y^e generall good of y^e colonie:  vnto which we promise all due submission and obedience.  In witnes wherof we haue herevnder subscribed our names at Cap=Codd y^e ·11· of Nouember, in y^e year of y^e raigne of our soueraigne Lord king James of England, france, & Ireland y^e eighteenth and of Scotland y^e fiftie fourth. An^o: Dom ·1620·|

The source of this text and great history may be seen at http://members.aol.com/calebj/compact.html .