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Distrust Aboard Mayflower

Not all the passengers aboard the Mayflower were of one mind as to the future, or even present policies. There were some aboard who did not agree with the strong-minded leaders. Their murmurings and complaints caused distrust among the others.

Such distrust of the loyalty of these dissatisfied men impelled the rest of the men among the Pilgrims, that is, those of the Leyden congregation (who were on their way here from Holland via England) to draw up the noted Pilgrim (Mayflower) Compact.

When the auspicious hour arrived, there was prayer to begin with. Then it was decided (how we do not know) that forty-one persons among the company should subscribe the Compact. This they solemnly did, one after another, aboard the Mayflower.

...at Cape Cod, the 11th day of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, anno Domini 1620…

This day, before we came to harbor, observing some not well, affected to unity and concord, but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good that there should be an 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.

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