November 11. 1620 - Mayflower Compact Signed
Early Colonial Governing Document
November 11. 1620 - Mayflower Compact Signed
The stormy passage had caused the Mayflower to reach the New World well south of their intended target of the Hudson Valley. Continued storms prevented them from reaching their destination, which is present-day Provincetown Harbor in Massachusetts. With supplies running low and the season much later than originally intended, they decided to settle their colony there, instead of trying to go to their original destination.
Outside the Charter
A new problem arose to vex the leader of the colony, William Bradford. Their group contained some settlers that were not part of the Pilgrim sect. Since their location was outside the charter that governed them, many of these colonists felt that they owed no one allegiance and could do as they pleased. This was a dangerous situation for the colonists to have as they faced a hostile New World. In an attempt to solve the problem, Bradford drew up a document that became the first framework of government established in the New World. The Mayflower Compact established a government based on majority vote in which allegiance to the King of England was assumed. Women and children were exempted from voting. By signing the document, the settlers agreed to follow the rules it established to assure survival of the colony. The document remained in effect until they recieved a new patent in 1621.
Original Document Lost
The original Mayflower Compact has been lost to the mysteries of time, but there are three copies in existence. The earliest is Edward Winslow's Mourt's Relation, published in 1622. This booklet contains a detailed account of the settlers first months at "New Plimoth." This copy was reprinted in 1625 as Purchas his Pilgrimes. William Bradford wrote a copy of that he included in his journal, Of Plimoth Plantation in 1646. these three are the only copies in existence today and Bradford's handwritten copy rests in a vault at the State Library of Massachusetts.
From the Book:
A Day in United States History - Book 1
Written in a "this day in history," format, this collection of North American colonial history events includes 366 history stories. The historical collection of tales includes many well-known as well as some little-known events in the saga of the United States. The easy to follow "this day in history," format covers a wide range of the people, places and events of early American history.