Details
[REVOLUTIONARY WAR]. Manuscript document, In Provincial Congress, Watertown, [Massachusetts], 5 May 1775. 1 page, folio, matted and framed. A certified copy made by Samuel Freeman, Secretary.
"I WILL TRULY & FAITHFULLY SERVE...FOR THE DEFENCE AND SECURITY OF THE ESTATES, LIVES & LIBERTIES OF THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THIS, AND THE SISTER COLONIES IN AMERICA..."
THE OATH OF LOYALTY TAKEN BY REVOLUTIONARY FIGHTERS. "Resolved, That all Officers and Soldiers of the Massachusetts Army now raising for the defence and security of the rights and liberties of this and our sister Colonies in America, shall each & every of them excepting only the General Officers repeat and take the following Oath, viz 'I swear I will truly & faithfully serve in the Massachusetts Army, to which I belong for the defence and security of the estates, lives & liberties of the good People of this, and the sister colonies in America, in opposition to ministerial tyranny, by which they are, or may be oppressed, and to all other enemies & oppressors whatsoever; that I will adhere to the Rules and regulations of said Army, observe & obey the Generals & other Officers set over me, and disclose, and make known to said Officers all traitorous conspiracies, attempts and designs whatsoever, which I shall know to be made against said Army or any of the english American colonies. So help me God.'"
The interesting hedge about whether "they are, or may be oppressed" seems an excess of legalese. Likewise the enemy is narrowly focused on "ministerial tyranny." No mention of King or Parliament. The fact was that even in the act of taking up arms, the Massachusetts colonists were still not yet ready to make the irreparable break with King and Country. That would take more shooting, more "Common Sense," and a declaration issued in a General--not just Provincial--Congress Assembled.
"I WILL TRULY & FAITHFULLY SERVE...FOR THE DEFENCE AND SECURITY OF THE ESTATES, LIVES & LIBERTIES OF THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THIS, AND THE SISTER COLONIES IN AMERICA..."
THE OATH OF LOYALTY TAKEN BY REVOLUTIONARY FIGHTERS. "Resolved, That all Officers and Soldiers of the Massachusetts Army now raising for the defence and security of the rights and liberties of this and our sister Colonies in America, shall each & every of them excepting only the General Officers repeat and take the following Oath, viz 'I swear I will truly & faithfully serve in the Massachusetts Army, to which I belong for the defence and security of the estates, lives & liberties of the good People of this, and the sister colonies in America, in opposition to ministerial tyranny, by which they are, or may be oppressed, and to all other enemies & oppressors whatsoever; that I will adhere to the Rules and regulations of said Army, observe & obey the Generals & other Officers set over me, and disclose, and make known to said Officers all traitorous conspiracies, attempts and designs whatsoever, which I shall know to be made against said Army or any of the english American colonies. So help me God.'"
The interesting hedge about whether "they are, or may be oppressed" seems an excess of legalese. Likewise the enemy is narrowly focused on "ministerial tyranny." No mention of King or Parliament. The fact was that even in the act of taking up arms, the Massachusetts colonists were still not yet ready to make the irreparable break with King and Country. That would take more shooting, more "Common Sense," and a declaration issued in a General--not just Provincial--Congress Assembled.