Da die Puritaner in England um ihres Glaubens willen verfolgt wurden, reisten viele von ihnen nach Amerika aus. Einer der ersten und daher bekanntesten Auswanderergruppen waren diejenigen Puritaner, welche 1620 auf der Mayflower an der amerikanischen Ostküste anlangten. Später sollte dort Massachussetts entstehen. Die Puritaner wähnten sich erst in Virginia zu sein, was jedoch nicht zutraf. Nachstehend ist der Text des Originalstatutes für die neue Siedlung.
November 11, 1620 [This was November 21, old style calendar]
In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten,
the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereigne Lord, King James, by
the Grace of God, of Great Britaine, 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 Northerne Parts of Virginia;
doe, by these Presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of
God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together
into a civill Body Politick, for our better Ordering and
Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by
Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and
equall Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Offices, from
time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for
the Generall Good of the Colonie; unto which we promise all due
Submission and Obedience.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at
Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Raigne of our
Sovereigne Lord, King James of England, France, and Ireland, the
eighteenth, and of Scotland, the fiftie-fourth, Anno. Domini,
1620.
Mr. John Carver Mr. Stephen Hopkins
Mr. William Bradford Digery Priest
Mr. Edward Winslow Thomas Williams
Mr. William Brewster Gilbert Winslow
Isaac Allerton Edmund Margesson
Miles Standish Peter Brown
John Alden Richard Bitteridge
John Turner George Soule
Francis Eaton Edward Tilly
James Chilton John Tilly
John Craxton Francis Cooke
John Billington Thomas Rogers
Joses Fletcher Thomas Tinker
John Goodman John Ridgate
Mr. Samuel Fuller Edward Fuller
Mr. Christopher Martin Richard Clark
Mr. William Mullins Richard Gardiner
Mr. William White Mr. John Allerton
Mr. Richard Warren Thomas English
John Howland Edward Doten
Edward Liester