33 lines
1.6 KiB
JavaScript
33 lines
1.6 KiB
JavaScript
THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT
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"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal
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Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God,
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of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&.
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Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Chris-
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tian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant
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the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these
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presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of
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another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body
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Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of
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the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and
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frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and
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Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and con-
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venient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all
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due submission and obedience.
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In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod
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the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King
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James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland
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the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
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There followed the signatures of 41 of the 102 passengers, 37 of whom
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were members of the "Separatists" who were fleeing religious persecu-
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tion in Europe. This compact established the first basis in the new
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world for written laws. Half the colony failed to survive the first
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winter, but the remainder lived on and prospered.
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Prepared by Gerald Murphy (The Cleveland Free-Net - aa300)
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