On November 11, 1620, as soon as they made their way behind the shelter of Cape Cod, the Pilgrims drew up an agreement among themselves that became known, after the name of their ship, as the Mayflower Compact. It was designed to serve as the basis of the "civil Body Politick" they intended to establish in "the northern Parts of Virginia." (Note: spelling and punctuation have been modernized, but capitalization and italicization have been kept as in the original.)

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 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 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.