A Look Back on the Mayflower Compact

Let's take a look back on what John Quincy Adams described as the "first example in modern times of a social compact or system of government instituted by voluntary agreement conformable to the laws of nature, by men of equal rights and about to establish their community in a new country."

The Mayflower Compact, penned by William Bradford in less than 200 words, was signed by 41 Separatists, 393 years ago this year, at New Plymouth, known today as America's Hometown. This is an extraordinary document worth reading. Think about what these men gave up in search for something greater. Put yourself in their place when you read this.

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, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour 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 another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, 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 hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620. 

Mr. John Carver,Mr. William Bradford,Mr Edward Winslow,Mr. William Brewster.Isaac Allerton,Myles Standish,John Alden,John Turner,Francis Eaton,James Chilton,John Craxton,John Billington,Joses Fletcher,John Goodman,Mr. Samuel Fuller,Mr. Christopher Martin,Mr. William Mullins,Mr. William White,Mr. Richard Warren,John Howland,Mr. Steven Hopkins,Digery Priest,Thomas Williams,Gilbert Winslow,Edmund Margesson,Peter Brown,Richard BritteridgeGeorge Soule,Edward Tilly,John Tilly, Francis Cooke, Thomas Rogers, Thomas Tinker, John Ridgdale Edward Fuller, Richard Clark, Richard Gardiner, Mr. John Allerton, Thomas English, Edward Doten, Edward Liester.

It goes without saying that our country has veered off the path to prosperity. If we want to get back on the right track, we need to look at the directions - the founding documents that helped shape this great country. Together, we can restore America. Educate your brothers and sisters, neighbors, co-workers and anyone willing to listen on the words and ideas of our Founding Fathers.