1620: The "Mayflower" Compact. (Written and signed by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower on their way to America.)
In the name of God, Amen. We shose names are written, the loyall subject of our dread soveraigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith &c., haveing undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and countrie, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the northerne parts of Virginia, done by these presents solemnly and mutualy in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine ourselves togeather into a civill body politick, for our better ordering & preservation of furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by the virtue hereof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just & equall lawes, ordinances, actes, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the general good of the Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the 11, of November, in the year of the raigne of our soveraigne lord, King James, of England, France & Ireland the 18, and Scotland the fiftie-fourth. Ano. Dom. 1620
No comments:
Post a Comment