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SECOND
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
George
Washington
Philadelphia,
1793
FELLOW-CITIZENS:
I am again called upon by the voice of my country to execute
the functions of its Chief Magistrate. When the occasion
proper for it shall arrive, I shall endeavor to express
the high sense I entertain of this distinguished honor,
and of the confidence which has been reposed in me by the
people of united America.
Previous
to the execution of any official act of the president the
Constitution requires an oath of office. This oath I am
now about to take, and in your presence: that if it shall
be found during my administration of the Government I have
in any instance violated willingly or knowingly the injunctions
thereof, I may (besides incurring constitutional punishment)
be subject to the upbraidings of all who are now witnesses
of the present solemn ceremony.
MARCH
4, 1793.
Source:
I A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents
130 (James D. Richardson ed., 1897).
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