most healthful, and most fruitful parts of
the world," longer acquaintance and better information abundantly
satisfied them of the insuperable obstacles to agriculture and commerce.

The Pilgrims were now ready to pass to the shore. But before taking this
step, as the spot where they lay was without the bounds of their patent,
and as signs of insubordination had appeared among their servants, an
association was deemed necessary, and an agreement to "combine in one
body and to submit to such government and governors as should by common
consent" be selected and chosen. Accordingly, a compact was prepared,
and signed before landing by all the males of the company who were of
age; and this instrument was the constitution of the colony for several
years. It was as follows:

"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 the 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 another,
covenant and combine ourselves together unto 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 18th,
and of Scotland the 54th, A.D. 1620."

While on the one hand much eloquence has been expended in expatiating on
this compact, as if in the cabin of the Mayflower had consciously and
for the first time been discovered in an age of Cimmerian darkness the
true principles of republicanism and equality; on the other hand, it has
been asserted that the Pilgrims were "actuated by the most daring
ambition," and that even at this early period they designed to erect a
government absolutely independent of the mother-country. But the truth
seems to be that, although the