Oath of a Freeman
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Oath of a Freeman was a constitution drawn up by the Pilgrims during the early 17th century. It survives only in a handwritten copy from 1634 and in a later printed version from 1647. A purported earlier printing from 1639 surfaced in 1985 and was touted as the oldest surviving print in the United States, but it was revealed to be the work of prominent forger Mark Hofmann.
Hofmann's Oath was the last of his forgeries, and was created as a final, desperate attempt to recover from financial hardships. Hofmann produced two copies of the Oath, which were bidded upon by the Library of Congress and the American Antiquarian Society for over $1 million; authentication of the prints was underway when Hofmann began planting bombs in Salt Lake City to stall for time in another of his schemes. The bombs killed two people and injured Hofmann himself, and police uncovered evidence of his forgeries during the ensuing investigation.
Text of The Oath of a Freeman
| I -AB- being (by Gods providence) an Inhabitant, and Freeman, within the jurisdiction of this Common-weath, doe freely acknowledge my selfe to bee subject to the government thereof; and therefore doe heere sweare, by the great & dreadful name of the Everliving-God, that I will be true & faithfull to the same, & will accordingly yield assistance & support therunto, with my person & estate, as in equity I am bound: and will also truely indeavour to maintaine and preserve all the libertyes & privilidges therf, submitting my selfe to the wholesome lawes, & ordres made & stablished by the same; and further, that I will not plot, nor practice any evill against it, nor consent to any that shall soe do, butt will timely discover, & reveall the to the publick weale of the body, without respect of personnes, or favour of any man, Soe help mee God in the Lord Jesus Christ. |
References
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