Oath taken by the Inhabitants of Princess Anne County

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We, the inhabitants of Princess Anne County, being fully sensible of the error and guilt into which this Colony hath been misled, under colour of seeking redress of grievances, and that a set of factious men, styling themselves Committees and Congresses, have violently, and under various pretences, usurped the legislative and executive powers of Government, and are thereby endeavouring to overturn our most happy Constitution, and have incurred the guilt of actual rebellion against our most gracious Sovereign; we have, therefore, taken an oath, abjuring their authority, and solemnly promising, in the presence of Almighty God, we bear faith and true allegiance to his sacred Majesty George III; that we will, to the utmost of our power and ability, support, maintain, and defend his crown and dignity, against all traitorous attempts and conspiracies whatsoever.

And whereas armed bodies of men are collected in various parts of this Colony, without any legal authority, we wish them to be informed that, however unwilling we shall be to shed the blood of countrymen, we must, in discharge of our duty to God and the King, and in support of the Constitution and laws of our Country, oppose their marching into this country, where their coming can answer no good end, but, on the contrary, must expose us to the ravages and horrours of a civil war; and for that purpose we are determined to take advantage of our happy situation, and will defend the passes into our country and neighbourhood, to the last drop of our blood.

Whereas a set of factious men, under the names of Committees, Conventions, and Congresses, have violently, under various pretences, usurped the legislative and executive powers of Government, and are thereby endeavouring to overturn our happy Constitution, and have incurred the guilt of actual rebellion against our most gracious Sovereign,

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I, A B, do therefore abjure all their authority, and solemnly promise, in the presence of Almighty God, to bear faith and true allegiance to his sacred Majesty George III, and will, to the utmost of my power and ability, support, maintain, and defend his crown and dignity, against all traitorous attempts and conspiracies whatsoever. So help me God.

Oath taken by the Inhabitants of Princess Anne County. [1775-11-25] Virginia, Princess Anne County Committee Inhabitants. [S4-V3-p1671] [Document Details][Complete Volume]