The Mayflower and Her Log, v6 by Azel Ames - A complete eBook in pages (20 / 79)

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The Mayflower and Her Log, v6 by Azel Ames
Book, page 20 / 79

      from the King issued in 1606, and the division of territory made
      thereunder to the Second Virginia Company. By this division the
      London Company was restricted northward by the 41st parallel, as
      noted, while the Second Company could not claim the 38th as its
      southern bound, as the charter stipulated that the nearest
      settlements under the respective companies should not be within one
      hundred miles of each other.]

                               Meeting in main cabin of all adult male
                               passengers except their two hired seamen,
                               Trevore and Ely, and those too ill--to make
                               and sign a mutual 'Compact"

      [The Compact is too well known to require reprinting here (see
      Appendix); but a single clause of it calls for comment in this
      connection. In it the framers recite that, "Having undertaken to
      plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia," etc.
      From this phraseology it would appear that they here used the words
      "northern parts of Virginia" understandingly, and with a new
      relation and significance, from their connection with the words "the
      first colony in," for such declaration could have no force or truth
      except as to the region north of 41 deg. north latitude. They knew,
      of course, of the colonies in Virginia under Gates, Wingfield,
      Smith, Raleigh, and others (Hopkins having been with Gates), and
      that, though there had been brief attempts at settlements in the
      "northern plantations," there were none there then, and that hence
      theirs would be in a sense "the first," especially if considered
      with reference to the new Council for New England. The region of
      the Hudson had heretofore been included in the term "northern parts
      of Virginia," although in the southern Company's limit; but a new
      meaning was now designedly given to the words as used in the
      Compact, and New England was contemplated. ]

                               to regulate their civil government. This
                               done, they confirmed Master Carver their
                               "governour" in the ship on the voyage,
                               their "governour" for the year. Bore up
                               for the Cape, and by short tacks made the
                               Cape [Paomet, now Provincetown] Harbor,
                               coming to an anchorage a furlong within the

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