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Plymouth GovernmentThe Plymouth colony was founded for the purpose of furthering Christianity as well as for the honor to their country. Its government was based upon those two things.Before leaving the ships and setting foot upon the shores of America, the Plymouth colonists agreed to the Mayflower Compact, which goes as follows: 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, etc. Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and 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 of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together in a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620. The Plymouth government was made up of a few different groups of people who all had different purposes in the governing of the colony. The governor was at the top; he was elected annually, and held very high power among the colonists. Next came the Court of Assistants, who were also elected annually. They handled judicial matters, and were responsible for examining criminals and censoring what crimes as "shall not be brought to publick Court" (http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-plymouth?specfile=/web/data/users). When the governor was absent, they could also deal with criminals. Third down the governmental ladder was the General Court, responsible for both legislative and judicial matters (http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-plymouth?specfile=/web/data/users). It was made up of freemen, and presided over by the Governor and the Assistants. After a while, the General Court's influence grew, probably because of the freemen's pressure to lessen the power of other courts (http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-plymouth?specfile=/web/data/users). However, the Governor still held power: he could call special meetings of the General Court, he was in charge of the meetings, and if there was a vote being cast and it tied, he would decide it (http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-plymouth?specfile=/web/data/users). The final group of influential people in the government were the freemen, adult males who could vote for Governor and Assistants and could also hold office themselves. They were required to attend town meetings and all meetings of the General Court; eventually they decided they didn't want to do this any more so they resolved to elect "deputies" to attend the General Court for them (http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-plymouth?specfile=/web/data/users). The Plymouth government was structured, but of course had its flaws, which were worked out over time. It is one of the bases for the American government today, having proven its worth in the colony and in today's country. |
