In 1620, the Mayflower anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Before the landing, 41 male passengers on the ship signed a binding agreement that set up a basis for self-government. This document became known as the Mayflower Compact.
In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of the 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 honor 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 afore said; 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 here under subscribed our names at Cape Cod the 11 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.