The Mayflower Compact was the first agreement for self-government to be created and enforced in America.

"The Pilgrims who sailed to the New World on the Mayflower had originally intended to settle in Virginia. When they landed in Massachusetts instead, in November 1620, they realized they were outside the jurisdiction of the Virginia charter. To establish their own authority and to avoid a possible mutiny, the Pilgrim leaders drew up and signed an agreement known as the Mayflower Compact, which is reprinted below. The Mayflower Compact, which remained in effect until 1691, was he first written attempt at self government in American History."

On September 16, 1620 the Mayflower, a British ship, with 102 passengers, who called themselves Pilgrims, aboard sailed from Plymouth, England. They were bound for the New World. The voyage took 66 days. On November 21, 1620 the Mayflower reached the Cape Cod coast of America. The Pilgrim leaders persuaded 41 of the male adults aboard the ship to sign an agreement which would set up a government in Plymouth Colony. The agreement was called the Mayflower Compact.

Then a small group of men was sent out to explore the land and find a suitable site to build Plymouth Colony. It took the party time to find a good place to live. When they returned to the ship, the ship set sail again. On December 26 the Pilgrims on the Mayflower reached the site of modern day Plymouth, Massachusetts and decided to make this land their new home. These citizens in the New World began to live under the rules of the Mayflower Compact.

The original document of the Mayflower Compact has disappeared. William Bradford, the second governor of Plymouth Colony, wrote a history Of Plymouth Plantation. The version now available follow his spelling and punctuation.

The Mayflower Compact was the first agreement for self-government to be created and enforced in America.

The Mayflower Compact

In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc. having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the generall good of the Colonie unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Codd the 11. of November, in the year of the raigne of our sovereigne lord, King James, of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftie-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.