The Basic Symbols of the American Political Tradition

Appendix II

Appendix II Reproduced here are certain documents or portions thereof that have been cited in the book. The Declaration of Independence , the Constitution, and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address have been omitted because these documents are readily accessible to students. (A) The Mayflower Compact. Original spelling. Source: Benjamin Perley Poore (ed.) , The Federal and State Constitutions , Colonial Charters and other Organic Laws of the United States (Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office , 1877) . Complete text. AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SETTLERS AT NEW PLYMOUTH. 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, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour 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 into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preser· vation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances , Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the 157 158 APPENDIX II Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at CapeCod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland, the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini, 1620. [Signed by 41 individuals] (B) The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. Original spelling. Source: Benjamin Perley Poore, op. cit. Only the first paragraph of this document is reproduced here. The remainder of the document deals almost exclusively with the organization and procedures of government as set forth in the text. FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS OF CONNECTICUT-1638-'39. FORASMUCH as it hath pleased the Allmighty God by the wise disposition of his diuyne pruidence so to Order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants and Residents of Windsor, Harteford and Wethersfield are now cohabiting and dwelling in and vppon the River of Conectecotte and the Lands thereunto adioyneing; And well knowing where a people are gathered together the word of God requires that to mayntayne the peace and vnion of such a people there should be an orderly and decent Gouerment established according to God, to order and dispose of the affayres of the people at all seasons as occation shall require; doe therefore assotiate and conioyne our selues to be as one Publike State or Comonwelth; and doe, for our selues and our Successors and such as shall be adioyned to vs att any tyme hereafter, enter into Combination and Confederation togather, to mayntayne and prsearue the liberty and purity of the gospell of our Lord Jesus web we now prfesse, as also the disciplyne of the Churches, web according to the truth of the said gospell is now practised amongst vs; As also in or Ciuell Affaires to be guided and gouerned according to such Lawes, Rules, Orders and decrees as shall be made, ordered & decreed, as followeth:- (C) The Massachusetts Body ojLiberties (1641). Original spelling. Source: Colonial Laws oj Massachusetts, compiled by Order of the City Council of Boston under the direction of Mr. S. Whitmore, 18'89. Text partial. APPENDIX II 159 A COPPlE OF THE LIBERTIES OF THE MASSACHUSETS COLONIE IN NEW ENGLAND. The free fuition of such liberties Immunities and priveledges as humanitie, Civilitie, and Christianitie call for as due to every man in his place and proportion without impeachment and Infringement hath ever bene and ever will be the tranquillitie and Stabilitie of Churches and Commonwealths. And the deniall or deprivall thereof, the disturbance if not the ruine of both. We hould it therefore our dutie and safetie whilst we are about the further establishing of this Government to collect and expresse all such freedomes as for present we foresee may concerne us, and our posteritie after us, And to ratify them with our sollemne consent. We doe therefore this day religiously and unanimously decree and confirme these following Rites, liberties and priveledges concerneing our Churches, and Civil State to be respectively impartialie and inviolably enjoyed and observed throughout our Jurisdiction for...