The Reason for the Mayflower Voyage

American Minute from William J. Federer

Storms blew the Pilgrims too far north to be under Jamestown's government, so they created their own - the Mayflower Compact. It was the first constitution written in America.

It began: "In ye name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord, King James, by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine, France, & Ireland king, defender of ye faith, etc., having 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..."

The Mayflower Compact continued: "Doe by these presents solemnly & mutually 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...to enacte...such just & equall lawes...as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye generall good of ye Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience."

The Mayflower Compact ended: "In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd ye 11 of NOVEMBER, Ano:Dom. 1620."

William J. Federer is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and president of Amerisearch, Inc, which is dedicated to researching our American heritage. The American Minute radio feature looks back at events in American history on the dates they occurred, is broadcast daily across the country and read by thousand on the internet.