Document • Colonial Era

Mayflower Compact

Pilgrims • 1620

Overview

The first self-governing document in America. Written aboard ship before landing, it established government by mutual consent - a radical contrast to the Virginia Articles' imposed martial law just 10 years earlier.

Historical Context

The Voyage: The Mayflower carried about 102 passengers - roughly half "Separatists" (Pilgrims fleeing religious persecution) and half "Strangers" (settlers recruited by investors). They were supposed to land in Virginia.

The Problem: They landed at Cape Cod, outside Virginia Company jurisdiction. Some "Strangers" declared they would "use their own liberty" since the Virginia patent didn't apply. This threatened the colony before it began.

The Solution: Before anyone went ashore, 41 adult males signed a compact creating "a civil Body Politick" with power to enact "just and equal Laws." Government by mutual consent.

The Contrast: Just 10 years after Virginia's martial law, here was government created FROM BELOW by the governed themselves. No king, no charter, no company - just free people agreeing to rules.

The Legacy: Tocqueville called it the foundation of American democracy. The compact's ideas - consent, equality before law, common good - echo through the Declaration of Independence.

Full Text

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 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 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 Officers, 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.

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