Mayflower Compact

Signed: November 11, 1620
Location: Aboard the Mayflower at Cape Cod
Type: Colonial governing agreement

Historical Context

The Mayflower Compact was signed by English settlers aboard the Mayflower before they established Plymouth Colony. It created a civil body politic and established majority rule for the colony’s governance. It is considered one of the earliest examples of self-government in what would become the United States.

Contents

• Full Text
• Signers

Full Text

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 Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement 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 Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid.

And by Virtue hereof do 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.