Thus, the Mayflower Compact was based simultaneously upon a majoritarian model and the settlers' allegiance to the king. To prevent this, the Pilgrims determined to establish their own government, while still affirming their allegiance to the Crown of England. This inspired some of the non-Puritan passengers (whom the Puritans referred to as 'Strangers') to proclaim that they 'would use their own liberty for none had power to command them' since they would not be settling in the agreed-upon Virginia territory. Storms forced them to anchor at the hook of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, however, as it was unwise to continue with provisions running short. Their intended destination had been the Colony of Virginia, with the journey financed by the Company of Merchant Adventurers of London. The Pilgrims had originally hoped to reach America in early October using two ships, but delays and complications meant they could use only one, the Mayflower. Signing the covenant were 41 of the ship's 101 passengers the Mayflower was anchored in Provincetown Harbor within the hook at the northern tip of Cape Cod. The Mayflower Compact was signed aboard ship on November 21 , 1620. Although the agreement contained a pledge of loyalty to the King, the Puritans and other Protestant Separatists were dissatisfied with the state of the Church of England, the limited extent of the English Reformation and reluctance of King James I of England to enforce further reform. It was written by the men aboard the Mayflower, consisting of Separatist Puritans, adventurers, and tradesmen.

The Mayflower Compact, originally titled Agreement Between the Settlers of New Plymouth, was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. Signing the Mayflower Compact 1620, an 1899 painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferrisįirst repealed in 1686, reinstated in 1689, and repealed again in 1691

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