"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 England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&.
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 Separatists fleeing religious persecution in Europe. This compact
established the first basis in the new world for written laws. Half of
the colony failed to survive the first winter, but the remainder lived
on and prospered.