Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 [Opinions on the manner of George Washington taking the oath of office]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05840 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: 1 March 1793 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32.4 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
Signed and initialed by Knox. Marked "Copy." Knox and Randolph provide President Washington with opinions on the upcoming second presidential inauguration. Knox and Randolph believe that: the president should take the oath in public, that the time should be noon, that the place should be the Senate chamber, that the marshal of the district should inform the vice president that the Senate chamber will be used, that the vice president, governor, and foreign ministers be notified of the time of the oath, and that Mr. [William] Cushing administer the oath. Knox has signed for himself and on behalf of Randolph and then transcribed the opinion of Alexander Hamilton, who did not object to the ideas on the oath of office, but said "I am not however Satisfied that prudential considerations are not equally ballanced." Docket notes that Thomas Jefferson gave his opinion to the president verbally on 28 February. Jefferson thought the oath should take place at the president's house. Retained draft.
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