| Dec. 10, 2008--These documents
from the National Archives, which will be on display from January
12-25, 2009 in the Rotunda, show that the presidential oath of office
underwent several revisions before arriving at the prescribed 37
words. (Above) An Aug. 6, 1787 printed copy of the draft
Constitution from the Constitutional Convention shows the initial
wording of the presidential oath of office. George Washington
wrote in, among other annotations, a new clause adopted by the
Convention, "and will to the
best of my judgment and power preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States." (Below) The Official Journal
of the Constitutional Convention covering the discussion of Aug. 27,
1787 shows the new language was moved, seconded and passed in the
affirmative. |
In this Feb. 27, 1793
"transcript of draft of note," President George Washington sought input
from the Secretaries of Treasury and War "as to time, place and manner"
of the oath of qualification. There were two lines of thought:
that the oath should be administered to the President at his own house,
either with a few invited officers and others, or that it should be
done in public.
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