I'm just wondering when did that oath actaully been created?
Reading about the founding of our country, I am finding hard to believe that they would not have taken an oath to their "country" meaning their state first.
Greg,
Interesting to look at the history of it in the link that LOS posted ....
particularly in the original officers oath, where the thirteen states are clearly enumerated ....
(I'd also be curious to know in which versions - if
any - of the various oaths "united states" was capitalized as a proper noun .....)
But to your original question, two examples:
May 1777
General Assembly
At the Capitol, in the City of Williamsburg, on Monday the fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, and in the first year of the Commonwealth.
Patrick Henry, Governour
CHAP. I
An act for regulating and disciplining the Militia.
FOR forming the citizens of this commonwealth into a militia, and disciplining the same for defence thereof, Be it enacted by the General assembly. That all free male persons, hired servants, and apprentices, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years (except the governour and members of the council of state, members of the American congress, judges of the superiour courts, speakers of the two houses, treasurer, attorney general, commissioners of the navy, auditors, clerks of the council of state, of the treasury, and of the navy board, all ministers of the gospel licensed to preach according to the rules of their sect, who shall have previously taken before the court of their county an oath of fidelity to the commonwealth, postmasters, keepers of the publick jail and publick hospital, millers, except in the counties of Accomack and Northampton, persons concerned in iron or lead works, or persons solely employed in manufacturing fire arms, and military officers or soldiers, whether of the continent or this commonwealth, all of whom are exempted from the obligations of this act) shall, by the commanding officer of the county in which they reside, be enrolled or formed into companies of not less than thirty two, nor more than sixty eight, rank and file, and these companies shall again be formed into battalions of not more than one thousand, nor less than five hundred men, if there be so many in the county. The free mulattoes in the said companies or battalions shall be employed as drummers, fifers, or pioneers. Each company shall be commanded by a captain, two lieutenants, and an ensign; each battalion by a colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major, who shall take precedence and command of each other according to rank and seniority, and the whole by a county lieutenant. These officers shall be resident within their county, and before they enter on the execution of their office shall, in presence of the court of the same county, take the following oath: I do swear, that I will be faithful and true to the commonwealth of Virginia, of which I profess myself to be a citizen, and that I will faithfully and justly execute the office of a __________ in the militia of the county of _______ according to the best of my skill and judgment. So help me God.
Remainder can be read at the following link:
First State of Virginia Militia Act of 1777
and:
In April 1776 the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety ordered General Anthony Wayne to fill the depleted ranks of his Fourth Pennsylvania Battalion with recruits drawn from the militia.(363) In May 1776 Edward Hand asked for authorization to form a special ranging company of riflemen, to consist of seven companies of specially trained men who exhibited unusual prowess with the rifle. The Pennsylvania Assembly then created a set of instructions for recruiting riflemen.
1. You are to enlist no man who is not able-bodied, healthy and active. . . .
2. You are to have a great regard for sobriety and moral character in general.
3. Inlist no man who is not provided with a good rifle gun, perfectly fit for service, and very expert in the use of it.
4. You are not to enlist any indentured servant, nor, without leave of his mistress or master, any apprentice.
5. You [, the Colonel of the Regiment, are] . . . to inspect your men and reject such as do not answer your instructions.
6. Every man is to be enlisted by his taking . . . an oath or affirmation in the following words, "I, --, . . . will to the utmost of my power, defend the rights and liberties of this Province and of America in general; and will oppose and resist any force or enemies that shall act or be employed against them. So help me God.
7. You shall use all diligence in completing your company.
Source:
The Pennsylvania Militia