The Plymouth Agreement Essays

The Plymouth Agreement Essays The Plymouth Agreement Essay The Plymouth Agreement Essay The Plymouth Agreement appears as a Organic Act document resembling a pseudo preamble. The very first statement in the document contains a legal oath made between residents â€Å" We, the associates of New-Plymouth†that found a people†(19) â€Å"Coming hither as freeborn† defines who they are as legal freeman who sworn an oath. it creates a citizen with political rights and duties†(Lutz15) â€Å"subjects of the State of England† claims loyalty to there colonial charter sponsor England. The formation of government is stated clearly in â€Å"endowed with all and singular the privileges belonging to such being assembled;†(19) Enables a power base of government through contributors in the Assembly or Court . Generally when using the the terms they are usually connected with legal and religious oaths â€Å"doe ordaine Constitute and enact†(19) are seem to empower the assembly to be the ruling representative powerâ€Å"that noe act imposition law or ordinance be made or imposed upon us at present, or to come†(19) This statement shows contempt for any other power to reign supreme over assembly other then the England thus claiming a viable sovereignty. The people of Plymouth show a willingness to be governed over by a body of their peers through means of assembly using English common law â€Å"consent of the body of associates or their representatives legally assembled; which is according to the free liberties of England. †(19) The last statement recognizes England as the legitimate power and the†body of associates† as the standing power. When contrasting The Mayflower Compact with the Plymouth Agreement the first very important difference is a complete omission element of religious covenant in Plymouth agreement comparatively. Seemingly as if the religious covenant IE.. Mayflower Compact evolved into a legal covenant IE.. Plymouth Agreement. Second the actual signing of the Mayflower compact is to bind each freeborn citizen in public sight. The Plymouth took no such liberty in making a public list of signing. In comparison they both affirmed their loyalty to England. Although the Compact shows a much closer relationship between religion and loyalty to country and King specifically. Another similarity is the use of specific legal terms. This shows intention of government and constitution building using the common law system. The Plymouth Agreement implies that the people have a self understanding of the process involved in self governing. The ability of a country to be able become a sovereign entity is a long painful journey which will soon become war. During the writing of the document the creators felt as though they were in control of there destiny. And to a large extent they were actually more on there own then they realized. Another implication of there self understanding for example in The Mayflower Compact each member signed and proclaimed an oath of responsibility to God and King . In the Plymouth Agreement the less formal process of signing and taking an oath implies that the memberships understanding of each other was more confident each others ability to take anonymous responsibility. First the direction that they as town and community were progressing. Second to make correct judgments in holding the legal system together. This implies a great deal of trust in each other to remain grounded and not allow fellow freeman to become to powerful. This document really shows a great deal of intention to become a sovereign power using very politically charged rhetoric.