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Letter: Founders of nation escaped English religious persecution

Wednesday, April 8, 1998 | 11:39 a.m.

They were a tiny band of people escaping the religious persecution of the Church of England. King James of England give the "Pilgrims" tracts of land in the New World. On Nov. 11, 1620, while on board the Mayflower, the Mayflower Compact, agreeing to the advancement of the "Christian Faith" was signed. King James later made guarantees of self-government to the Pilgrims in the Peirce Patent signed in 1621.

This small group just wanted to practice their Christian faith without interference from the Church of England, but from them sprang perhaps the greatest country in the world.

Contrary to what many say, our country was founded by Christians. They are the ones who began our schools, libraries and hospitals. Long before Washington, Franklin and Jefferson, the Pilgrims signed a Compact and founded a super-power, but all we remember them for is a large meal.

Susan Messler

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