Welcome to Call to Decision 

 American Minute with Bill Federer

 November 12

 Storms blew the Pilgrims too far north to be under Jamestown's
 government, so they created their own - the Mayflower Compact.

 It was the first constitution written in America.

 It began:

 "In ye name of God, Amen.

 We whose names are underwritten, the loyall subjects of our dread
 soveraigne Lord, King James, by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine,
 France, & Ireland king, defender of ye faith, etc., having
 undertaken, for ye glorie of God, and advancemente of ye Christian
 faith, and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant ye first
 colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia..."

 The Mayflower Compact continued:

 "Doe by these presents solemnly & mutually in ye presence of God, and
 one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill
 body politick, for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance
 of ye ends aforesaid; and...to enacte...such just & equall lawes...as
 shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye generall good of ye
 Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience."

 The Mayflower Compact ended:

 "In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd
 ye 11 of NOVEMBER, Ano:Dom. 1620."