Pilgrim Fathers

On Nov. 11, 1620, after 66 days at sea, 102 passenger landed on what is now Provincetown Harbor off Cape Cod. They were to have landed on the Hudson, where there was already a charter. Because of rough weather these "Pilgrims", technically 1/3 of them were Separatists, missed their original landing. Because it was winter they decided to stay. Before they got off the boat they signed a document, which became known as The Mayflower Compact. "We whose names are underwritten...doe by these presents solemnly & mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather in a civill body politick." This was the Pilgrims' basis for self-government, based on the consent of the governed. It’s unclear who wrote the Mayflower Compact, but the well-educated Separatist and pastor William Brewster is usually given credit. 41/102 men signed the Compact (all the Separatists). I read this document (2 pages) on Project Gutenberg.… (mais)