THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT

IN THE strict sense this Compact, drawn up in the cabin of the Mayflower, was not a constitution, which is "a document defining and limiting the functions of government." It was, however, the germ of popular government in America.

Governor Bradford makes this reference to the circumstances under which the Compact was drawn up and signed:

"This day, before we came to harbour, observing some not well affected to unity and concord, but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there should be an association and agreement, that we should combine together in one body, and to submit to such government and governors as we should by common consent agree to make and choose, and set our hands to this that follows, word for word."

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 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 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 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 Domine 1620.

HOW THE PILGRIM FATHERS LIVED

By Governor Edward Winslow.

DURING the first terrible winter at Plymouth, Edward Winslow's wife died, and likewise Mrs. Susannah White's husband. Mrs. White not only survived but gave birth to the first white child born in New England, Peregrine White. Two months after Mrs. Winslow's death New England's first wedding took place between Edward Winslow and Susannah While.

Edward Winslow was one of the great men of the Plymouth Colony, and was several times elected Governor. Once on a visit to England he appeared before the Crown Council and argued successfully against any attempt to destroy the self-government of the colony. His best remembered benefit to the colony was to negotiate a treaty with the Indian Chief Massasoit.

This description of living conditions was contained in a letter Winslow wrote soon after the landing from the Mayflower, and gives a vivid first-hand picture of the problems the Pilgrims faced.

ALTHOUGH I received no letter from you by this ship, yet forasmuch as I know youexpect the performance of my promise, which was, to write unto you truly and faithfully of all things, I have therefore at this time sent unto you accordingly, referring you for further satisfaction to our more large relations. You shall understand that in this little time a few of us have been here, we have built seven dwelling-houses and four for the use of the plantation, and have made preparation for divers others. We set last spring some twenty acres of Indian corn, and sowed some six acres of barley and peas; and according to the manner of the Indians, we manured our ground with herrings, or rather shads, which we have in great abundance, and take with great ease at our doors. Our corn did prove well; and, God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn, and our barley indifferent good, but our peas not worth the gathering, for we feared they were too late sown. They came up very well, and blossomed; but the sun parched them in the blossom.

Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might, after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, among other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming among us, and among the rest their greatest king, Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation, and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others.. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.