Chapter LXIV. *requiring an Oath of Allegiance, and to Support the Constitution of the United States, to be administered to certain Persons tn the civil Service of the United States.* August 6, 1861
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Chap. LXIV.— An Act *requiring an Oath of Allegiance, and to Support the Constitution of the United States, to be administered to certain Persons tn the civil Service of the United States.* August 6, 1861. Persons in the civil service of the government to take oath of allegiance.*Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * That it shall be the duty of the heads of the several departments to cause to be administered to each and every officer, clerk, or employe, now in their respective departments, or in any way connected therewith, or who shall hereafter in any way become connected therewith, the following oath, viz.:
“I do solemnly swear Form of oath.(or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign, and that I will bear true faith, allegiance, and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution, or law of any State Convention or Legislature to the contrary notwithstanding; and, further, that I do this with a full determination, pledge, and purpose, without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever; and further, that THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Ch. 65, 66, 67. 1861.327I will well and faithfully perform all the duties which may be required of me by law. So help me God.” And that each and every such civil officer and employe, in the departments aforesaid, or in any way connectedPenalty for refusal to take the oath. therewith, in the service or employment of the United States, who shall refuse to take the oath or affirmation herein provided, shall be immediately dismissed and discharged from such service or employment.
Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted,* That the oath or affirmation, hereinBefore whom oath may be taken. provided for in the first section of this act, may be taken before any justice of the peace, or notary public, or other person who is legally authorized to administer an oath in the State or District where the same may be administered. And that any violation of such oath by any person orViolation of oath to subject offender to penalties of perjury, and discharge from service. persons taking the same shall subject the offender to all the pains and penalties of wilful and corrupt perjury, who shall be liable to be indicted and prosecuted to conviction for any such offence before any court having competent jurisdiction thereof: *And provided further,* That such offender shall be forthwith discharged from such service or employment.
Approved, August 6, 1861. Chapter LXV: explanatory of an Act entitled “An Act concerning the Attorney-General and the Attorneys and Marshals of the several Districts.” 11 Stat. 327 1861-08-06 Chapter LXV Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-23 37 1 public
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Chapter LXIV
*requiring an Oath of Allegiance, and to Support the Constitution of the United States, to be administered to certain Persons tn the civil Service of the United States.* August 6, 1861
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