The oath at Valley Forge [engraving]

The oath at Valley Forge [engraving]

1 print ; on sheet 24 x 15 cm.

P&E L2007D25m

A scene in a house in Valley Forge in the spring of 1778. On February 3, 1778, Congress had passed a resolution requiring all persons serving the United States, including the officers in the continental army, subscribe to an oath of allegiance to the new nation. The oath was administered to small groups of officers by the commander-in-chief or other high ranking officers, so designated. This engraving show a group of officers being administered the oath by George Washingrton at Valley Forge. Major-General Charles Lee is seen withdrawing his hand from the bible in a moment of doubt before finally agreeing to take the oath.
The engraving includes an ornate engraver's frame with a young eagle at the top, and a crest of stars and stripes at the bottom surrounded by scrolls and two unfurled flags.on poles at the sides.
This engraving appears in Headley's The illustrated life of Washington, published by G. & F. Bill in 1859. The remaining illustrations in Headley are catalogued as P&E L1993.1m. This engraving may also have been published in Graham's Magazine prior to its appearance in Headley..

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