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"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 members of the "Separatists" who were fleeing

religious persecution in Europe. This compact established the

first basis in the new world for written laws. Half the colony

failed to survive the first winter, but the remainder lived on

and prospered.

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