By Dr. Harold Pease
In November we think of Thanksgiving Day and how fast Christmas is coming. But something else, besides elections and Veterans Day, happened in November historically very important to us—The Mayflower Compact was signed November 11, 1620.
The pilgrims realized that some kind of governing document was needed, as human nature is prone to disunity and differences that could be disruptive of peace. Governor William Bradford described the circumstances under which the agreement came about:
“This day, before we came to harbour, observing some not well affected to unity and concord, but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there should be an association and agreement, that we should combine together in one body, and to submit to such government and governors as we should by common consent agree to make and choose, and set our hands to this that follows, word for word…”
In other words, they agreed to remain one body and to abide by common consent in deciding what is best for their community- even “word for word.” A democracy, if you will. That was a giant step for the time and a prelude for what would follow. The idea that the peoples’ vote even mattered was revolutionary. The Mayflower Compact 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 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 honor 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 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 hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the 11 of November in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domine 1620.”
It is also instructive that God had a special binding place in the unity and in the three sentences that make up the Mayflower Compact appears four times. The promise to “solemnly and mutually … covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body“ with promise of “due submission and obedience” was treated as if made in the presence of God. It is said that this “covenant with God” made the document so lasting as it in affect incorporated the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes as the instruments of judging appropriate human behavior. This inner strength would be necessary for their survival.
The actual landing of the Pilgrims occurred December 21 and work began on building houses two days before Christmas in the harsh New England winter. Women, children and the infirm remained on the Mayflower for another two weeks. Scurvy and lack of adequate shelter took 45 of the 102 emigrants the first winter. Of the 18 adult women 13 died the first winter, another the following May leaving only four of these alive for the 1st Thanksgiving the following Fall.
Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College.