Benedict Arnold's Oath of Allegiance
5/30/1778
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In 1778, Benedict Arnold, like all military officers, swore allegiance to his country. In 1780 General Arnold betrayed his oath by conspiring to surrender West Point to the British.
Transcript
I Benedict Arnold Major General do acknowledge the UNITED STATES OFAMERICA to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and declare that the people
thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the Third, King of Great-Britain ; and
I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him ; and I do
[handwritten] Swear [end handwritten] that I will, to the utmost of my power, support,
maintain and defend the said United States against the said King George the Third, his
heirs and successors, and his or their abettors, assistants and adherents, and will serve
the said United States in the office of Major General which I now hold, with
fidelity, according to the best of my skill and understanding.
Sworn before me this B Arnold
30 th Day of May 1778 – at the
Artillery Park Valley Forge H Knox B G Artillery
This primary source comes from the War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records.
National Archives Identifier: 300357
Full Citation: Benedict Arnold's Oath of Allegiance; 5/30/1778; War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/benedict-arnolds-oath-of-allegiance, October 13, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.