| |
Contemporary Transcription:
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 Britain, 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 northern Parts of
Virginia; do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God
and one of another, convenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body
Politic, 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.
The pilgrims signing the compact in 1620
Actual Transcription:
In ye name of
God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread
sovereign Lord King James by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine,
Franc, & Ireland king, defender of ye faith, &c.
Haveing undertaken, for
ye glorie of God, and advancemente of ye Christian faith,
and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant ye first
colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents
solemnly & mutualy in ye presence of God, and one of another,
covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body politick; for
our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of ye ends
aforesaid; and by vertue hearof, to enacte, constitute, and frame shuch just
& equall lawes, ordinances, acts, constitutions, & offices, from time
to time, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye
generall good of ye Colonie: unto which we promise all due
submission and obedience. In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed
our names at Cap-Codd ye .11. of November, in ye year of
the raigne of our soveraigne lord King James of England, France, & Ireland
ye eighteenth, and of Scotland ye fiftie fourth.
Ano: Dom .1620.
|
|
