Alexander Hamilton Papers

Oath for the Faithful Execution of Office, 20 October 1783

Oath for the Faithful Execution of Office1

Albany, October 20, 1783. On this date Hamilton signed an oath for the faithful execution of his office. The oath, signed by five other lawyers, reads as follows: “I AB. chosen or appointed [as the Case may be]2 to the office of [here insert the officer’s Title of Office] Do solemnly in the presence of almighty God before whom I expect to answer for my conduct promise and swear, that I will in all things to the best of my knowledge and ability faithfully perform the Trust reposed in me. So help me God.” After his signature Hamilton wrote: “20th. of October 1783 qualified as an Attorney & Counsellor in the Supreme Court and also as solicitor and Counsellor in the Court of Chancery.”

DS, Mr. Hall Park McCullough, North Bennington, Vermont.

1. This oath was prescribed by the New York legislature in “An Act requiring all persons holding offices or places under the government of this State to take the oaths therein prescribed and directed” (Laws of the State of New York description begins Laws of the State of New York Passed at the Sessions of the Legislature Held in the Years 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783 and 1784 Inclusive, being the First Seven Sessions (Albany, 1886). description ends , I, 13–14). The oath taken by H was required of “all other ministerial officers in this State.”

2. All brackets in this document appear in the original.

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    Hamilton Papers
    Title
    Oath for the Faithful Execution of Office, 20 October 1783
    Author
    Hamilton, Alexander
    Date
    20 October 1783

    Reference

    Cite as
    “Oath for the Faithful Execution of Office, 20 October 1783,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-03-02-0298. [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 3, 1782–1786, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1962, pp. 471–472.]