November 11, 1620 When it was learned that the Mayflower was landing in New England, and not at the Hudson River, as specified in their patent, there was great dissention between the Separatists (Pilgrims) and the Strangers. But it was agreed that the only way for the settlement to succeed was if everyone worked together, and that before they landed everyone had to sign a formal and binding agreement. Therefore they hammered out the Mayflower Compact, the first basis for written law in the new world: "In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. 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 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 into a civil Body Politick, 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 hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620." John Carver was the agreed upon governor, and on the morning of November 11th, 1620, he led the group forty-one men signed the compact. Of the nine who did not sign, some were sailors signed on for one year, some were too sick. A study in 2002 found that almost 10% of the population of America can trace their ancestry back to the Mayflower.