George Washington's Oath of Allegiance

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Description

The Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States of America, George Washington, signed this oath while camped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in the winter of 1777-1778.

Gen. George Washington initiated the signing of a new Oath of Allegiance to the United States by all officers in the Continental Army. Washington’s own oath was witnessed by Lord Stirling, one of his most trusted generals.

Transcript

I George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States of America do acknowledge the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the Third, King of Great-Britain; and I renounce, refuse and objure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear that I will to the utmost of my power, support, maintain and defend the said United States, against the said King George the Third, his heirs and successors and his or their abettors, assistants and adherents, and will serve the said United States in the office of Commander in Chief as aforesaid, which I now hold, with fidelity, according to the best of my skill and understanding.

George Washington

Sworn, before me,
Camp at Valley Forge
May 12th, 1778

Stirling Major Genl.

Citation

This primary source comes from the War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records.

National Archives Identifier: 12043370

Full Citation: George Washington’s Oath of Allegiance; 5/12/1778; Oaths of Allegiance and Fidelity and Oaths of Office; Numbered Record Books, 1894–1913; War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/george-washingtons-oath-of-allegiance/, January 22, 2026]

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