_Erected in remembrance of their sufferings for civil and religious
liberty._]
Driven from their course, lost on the vast oceans of an unknown world,
the little company pressed bravely on, and on November 9 sighted Cape
Cod, far to the north of their intended destination. Here their patent
was useless, and as some of the company in “discontented and mutinous
speeches” during the voyage had declared that “they would use their
own liberty” after landing, it was thought wise to draw up a compact
binding its signers to render “all due submission and obedience” to the
government therein provided. This document has been called the first
written constitution in the world’s history. It was not a constitution,
however; but only a compact.