The Mayflower Compact

adopted November 11, 1620

"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 Britaine, 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 northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the generall good of the Colonie unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Codd the 11 of November, in the year of the reigne of our sovereigne lord, King James, of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftie fourth. Anno Domini, 1620.