The Ameritocracy

The Mayflower CompactIn 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 Britten, 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 present, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one 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 hereunto 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. 1620.