As more and more settlers arrived and colonized the surrounding areas, a court was set up. Each city chose representatives to visit the court, creating an early representative government. Originally titled «Agreement between the settlers of New Plymouth,» the concept of self-management was introduced into this fundamental document, while more than 250 years later it predicted an independence movement. The Mayflower Compact served pilgrims well. While King James finally granted them a new charter, this agreement served as a legal and civil framework until 1691, when the Plymouth Colony became part of the Massachusetts Colony Bay. It would set the bar on how early settlers would define freedom and freedom for future generations. But what they did next changed the course of history. This different group of English outcasts chose to form a political body and accepted the terms of their own government. By creating the Mayflower Compact, they established the first form of independent domination of European settlers in the New World. «Instead of imposing the existing authority, they agreed to discuss how they would legislate to run this new company,» Curtin said. «Not everyone agreed.

It must have been a rigorous discussion. It would have been so interesting to be a fly on the wall and listen to what was discussed. This is how the British recorded the details of the agreement: it was in this spirit that they committed themselves to creating a set of temporary rules to decide for themselves on the basis of a majority agreement. Pilgrims had initially hoped to reach America in early October with two ships, but delays and complications meant they could use only one, the Mayflower. Their destination was the colony of Virginia, the trip being financed by the Company of Merchant Adventurers of London. But the storms forced them to anchor themselves to the hook of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, as it was unwise to continue with meagre stocks. This inspired some of the non-puritan passengers (whom the Puritans called the «Strangers») to announce that they would «use their own freedom; because no one had the power to take them,» because they would not settle in the agreed territory of Virginia. [5] To avoid this, the pilgrims decided to form their own government, while confirming their loyalty to the crown of England. Thus, the Mayflower Pact was based both on a majority model and on the fidelity of the settlers to the king. It was essentially a social contract in which the settlers declared themselves ready to respect the rules and community regulations for order and survival.

[6] Mourt`s relationship is also known because it is the first preserved source of the text of the «Mayflower Compact», the agreement that the settlers entered into New Plymouth to form a new civil political authority when they set out to build a community in America. The Mayflower Compact celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2020. Look for more news and blog posts on the American self-management tradition here on In Custodia Legis in the coming months.