[Untitled]
Washington, February 20, 1871.
Sir: The President having, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed you to be a commissioner of the United States in a joint high commission between the United States and Great Britain, I herewith inclose your commission. You will be pleased to inform this Department of the receipt of it, and, should it be accepted, of the name of the State or county in which you were born. I also inclose a blank form of the oath of allegiance, which, in the event of your acceptance, you will please execute and return to this Department for file.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
HAMILTON FISH.
Hon. Robert O. Schenck.
The same to the Hon. E. R. Hoar, Hon. Samuel Nelson, Hon. George H. Williams.
I, Robert C. Schenck, having been appointed a commissioner of the United States in a joint high commission between the United States and Great Britain, do solemnly swear that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought nor accepted, nor attempted to exercise the functions of, any office whatever under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, power, or constitution, within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto. And I do further swear (or affirm) that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: so help me God.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this ——— day of ———.