© "We
the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord, King James,... having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor 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 another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body
politic...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 [propers and
convenient for the general good of the colony unto which we promise all due submission and obedience."

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the document from which the excerpt was taken?