Chapter CXXVIII. *to prescribe an Oath of Office, and for other Purposes.* July 2, 1862. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Oath of office for all persons in civil, military or naval department of the public service
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Chap. CXXVIII.— An Act *to prescribe an Oath of Office, and for other Purposes.* July 2, 1862. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Oath of office for all persons in civil, military or naval department of the public service. That hereafter every person elected or appointed to any office of honor or profit under the government of the United States, either in the civil, military or naval departments of the public service, excepting the President of the United States, shall, before entering upon the duties of such office, and before being entitled to any of the salary or other emoluments thereof, take and subscribe the following *Post*, p. 701.oath or affirmation:
“I, A. B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought nor accepted nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office whatever, under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, power or constitution within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto.
And I do further swear (or affirm) that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God;” Oath to be preserved.which said oath, so taken and signed, shall be preserved among the files of the court, House of Congress, or Department to which the said office may appertain.
And any person who shall falsely take the said oath shall False swearing in taking the oath to be perjury.be guilty of perjury, and on conviction, in addition to the penalties nowTHIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. Sess. II. Ch. 129, 130. 1862.503 prescribed for that offence, shall be deprived of his office and renderedPenalty. incapable forever after of holding any office or place under the United States. Approved, July 2, 1862.