[Transcriber's note: President Washington's second oath of office was
taken in the Senate Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia on March 4,
the date fixed by the Continental Congress for inaugurations. Before an
assembly of Congressmen, Cabinet officers, judges of the federal and
district courts, foreign officials, and a small gathering of
Philadelphians, the President offered the shortest inaugural address
ever given. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court William Cushing
administered the oath of office.]
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.
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