The American political experiment began on November 9, 1620, when the 100 souls aboard the Mayflower saw their first glimpse of the New England coastline. On the 11^th of the month, anchor was dropped in Provincetown Harbor. The dissension began immediately, as they were well north of the targeted destination in Virginia. The charter they held was only valid for the southern coast, not this far north on the continent, causing many of the non-Pilgrim passengers to believe they were now free of all English laws. Pilgrim leaders knew anarchy would ensue if nothing were done to keep these citizens in line. Enter the Mayflower Compact, which had to be signed by all adult males before any could leave the ship.

 

The Mayflower Compact is a pivotal colonial document in many respects. It proves Plymouth colony was founded with a Christian religious base as the Compact clearly states that the colony was founded, “for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our King and countrie.” The document recognized the Church as head over the State.

 

Understanding the background of those early Pilgrims gives a better understanding of what they planned to undertake. All were raised during a time of English feudalism. Feudalism left few men with land of their own, or any freedoms other than what the lord of the manor so gave. These Pilgrims were in uncharted political waters. Before they left Leyden, Holland, for the New World, their pastor, John Robinson, gave them specific instructions in his farewell letter that no one was to go ashore until they agreed to commit themselves to a “body politik.” The discussion aboard ship on those long weeks must have been lively, as they mulled over exactly what form this commitment would take. No one had ever attempted this type of experiment before, so there was no precedent on how to proceed. No 17^th century man could conceive of the notion of living in society completely independent of any government. Centuries of English history taught them the importance of civil government. That coupled with their desire for land that was impossible to own in the old country, along with the Dutch ideas of a King being accountable to his citizens, and the yearning for freedom to worship God as they saw fit, apart from the governmental authorities, gave them the motivation to proceed.

 

In order to head off those aboard the Mayflower who felt free to “use their owne libertie” once off the ship, Bradford, Carver, and others drew up the Mayflower Compact and convinced all aboard that it was in their best interest to sign it.

 

But more than a political document, the Mayflower Compact was a religious document. It was a covenant with God.

 

The Compact read as follows: "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."

 

These newly arrived men well understood the meaning of covenant. They were reared on religious terminology. A covenant with God was a solemn promise, a vow, and an unbreakable contract with the Almighty. Israelites in Jewish history had multiple covenants with God, including the Ten Commandments that Moses brought down off Mount Sinai. A covenant was a two part agreement. First part was what the Pilgrims were going to do for God – advance the Christian religion, and honor King and Country by submitting to their elected officials. They understood from Old Testament history that God then honored his part of the covenant, if they stayed the course. God’s part was to protect and prosper them. To accomplish that, it was imperative that moral Christian laws were established to maintain order. John Bradford wrote years later of the founding of Plymouth colony, “Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness [for their beliefs]; but they cried unto the Lord, and he heard their voice.” In 1802, after years of neglect, John Quincy Adams, who rescued the Mayflower Company from the dustbins of history, had this to say about it, it is “the first example in modern times of a social compact or system of government instituted by voluntary agreement, conformably to the laws of nature, by men of equal rights, and about to establish their community in a new country.”

 

All males of age (21 years) signed the Compact, except for two sailors, Ellis and Trevore, who weren’t permanent settlers there. Four of the ten male servants signed. Perhaps the others weren’t of the proper age. This wasn’t to be a closed company dictated by status or wealth.