(So, the Seperatists left merry ole England to get away from an oversized, overbearing, flip flopping Government. Sound familiar? Too bad there’s no more promised land out there. I’m sure many of us would jump on that ship in a heartbeat.)

Now we are in the new world with nothing but a few cattle and some seeds and tools. Upon arrival at Cape Cod, their number was still 102, but one man had died and one child, Oceanus Hopkins, had been born. While they were anchored at Cape Cod, another baby was born, Peregrine White. He is credited with being the first child of European descent born in New England. 3 His family was among those who settled Marshfield and he eventually became a member of this church. During the first horrible winter, half the passengers and half the crew died. By spring, only five grown women were left, with the help of some teenaged girls, to care for the many children in the colony. One of those surviving women was Susannah White, mother of the newborn Peregrine and his two year old brother, Resolved. One of the women who had died was the wife of Edward Winslow. In May 1621, Susannah White and Edward Winslow were married, and thus she became the first mother and the first bride in Plymouth. The surviving male “Saints” assumed the leadership of the colony, and, of course, of the church, as they had the same objective. Edward Winslow, apparently a natural born negotiator, is given considerable credit for establishing good relationships with the Native Americans, especially with their leader, Massasoit. This good relationship continued almost fifty years, until after the death of Massasoit in 1661. Before leaving the ship, the men of the colony, both Saints and Strangers, signed an agreement establishing a “body politic” for their governance. This agreement, later called the Mayflower Compact, was a plantation 4 covenant, a form later used in Connecticut and other colonies. Because it was first, it is often called the basis of American democracy, since it established the tradition of government based on the consent of the governed. Under its provision, John Carver was the first New World governor chosen by free people in a free election. In Plymouth, the governor was elected each year. William Bradford and Edward Winslow both served as early governors, with up to four assistants.

The Mayflower Compact Text:

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 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 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 11th 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 Domini 1620.

The ‘dread sovereign’ referred to in the document used the archaic definition of dread; meaning awe and reverence (for the King), not fear.

(So there you have it the first form of Government in this Country was by the people, for the people, under God. Whether you’re religious or not, you have to admit any system that allowed a country to become the most powerful in only 200 years must be a good one. Too bad it’s slipping away from us.)

Chapter 3>>>