PROMISSORY OATHS ORDINANCE, 1869
Title
PROMISSORY OATHS ORDINANCE, 1869
Description
Promissory Oaths.
No. 4 of 18689
An Ordinance to amend the Law relating to 'Promissory Oaths.'
[24th September, 1869]
WliEREA:S it is expedient to amend the law
relating to promissory
oaths: Be it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the
:advice of the Legislative Council thereof, as follow$':-_
.- 1, This,Ordinance may be cited for all purposes as the Promissory
Oaths Ordinance, 1869.'
rorivof:QAth Pq; The oath in this Ordinance referred to as the oath of
allegiance
of aIZegia'cesW1-be-in the for iii following ; : that, is to say
~~ I do swear that I will be faithful and bear
true allegiance to Her! Majesty Queen Victoria, Her Heir s and
Successors, according to law. So help me God.' .
3, The oath in this Ordinance referred to as the official oath shall be
17.i1 -;oanu~ .
in the form following; that is to say
~~ .I: do swear that I will well and truly serve
Her Majesty (queen Victoria in the office of
So help me God.'
ORDINANCE ?~:o. ~-4 OF'1869.
Promissory Oaths.
4. The oath in this Ordinance referred to as the judicial oath shall
Fo,ni of
jndioial oath::,
be in the form following ; that is to say
' I , do swear that I will well and truly serve
our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria in the office of
and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws
and usages o£ this Colony, without fear or favor, affection or ill
will. So help me God.','
A The oath of allegiance and official oath shall be taken by each of
rErRoneto`
takEtnE
the officers named in the first part of the schedule annexed hereto as
soon official oath
and the oath
as may be after his acceptance of office, and such, oaths shall be
tendered - of allegiance.
'by the officer, and in the manner in that behalf mentioned in the -said
°first part of the said schedule.
6, The oath of allegiance and the judicial oath shall be taken by Persons
to
take the oath.
each of the officers named in the second part of the schedule hereto as
of allegiance
ana the
soon as may be after his acceptance of office, and such oaths shall be
inaieiai oath.
tendered by the officer, and in the manner in that behalf mentioned in the
-said second -part.of the said schedule.
''~. `Members of the Executive Council shall take the oath
- L%EOl'1t1VE .
gianee and an oath of fidelity in tlle'discharga of-their. duties' in the
forrri,; '-dou~omors''following; -that is to say
«I
being chosen and admitted -of 14er
Majesty's Executive Council in this Colony, do swear that I
will, to the best of my judgment at all times when thereto
required, freely hive my counsel and advice to the Governor,
Lieutenant-Governor, or Officer Administering the Government
of this Colony for the time being, for the good management of
the public affairs of this Colony: that 'I will not directly or in-
directly reveal such matters as shall'be-debuted in Council and,
committed to my secrecy, but that hwil-l in all things be a true
=and faithful councillor. , So-helpme -Cod.'
The said oaths of allegiance and fidelity shall be tendered by the
Governor.
$. Members of the Legislative Council shall take the oath .of alle-
iarice only, and the same shall be tendered by the Governor.
9. The -Clerk of the -Councils shall take the oath of a1aegiance.ancl
,an oath of secrecy in the fbrm following; that is tovsay:.
Oath of
Legislative
Councillors.
Oaths 4 the
Clerk of the
Councils.'
0&tii of aliens
on naturaliza-
ORDINAV'CE No. 4 of 1869.
Promissory Oaths:
having been appointed Clerk. of the
Councils in this Colony, do swear that I will not directly ,or
indirectly reveal such matters as shall be debated in the
Executive Council and committed to my secrecy. So help
me God.'
The said oaths shall be tendered by the Colonial Secretary.
10. Aliens on naturalization shall take the oath of allegiance onI ''IR
and the same shall be tendered by the Clerk of the' Councils in tl
presence of the Colonial Secretary.
11. If any person declines or neglects when any oath or affirmation
required to be. taken or made by him under this Ordinance is duly
tendered he shall, if he has already catered on his office, vacate ; the
same, and if he has not catered on the same be disqualified from entering
on the same; but do person shall be compelled 'in respect , of the same =.
oointinent to the same office to take such oath or make such affirmation.-
any'.!-.1- ien -~y`ho .` shall have--applied for a certificate of .natura
lization-shall°decline u~ ~'rieglect to take the oath or make the
affiritatiot~ ,
required -to-be taken ~or made,, by him under this Ordinance when dn'1Y- -r
tendered, be shall >be disq~iali(ied from obtaining the said certificate
arid,-_,
if the same shall have been already granted, it shall become ipso
.void.
o£-allegiance, -
anprem6,cy; .
and abjAra-
tion:
The narxle of
the Rovereign
f4,the time
~ieirig_to be-
c,u'.sediri-the
oath. -:.; .
:P~v'i~r~iin
fawtixof
persdus
Permitted, .
to znk~ke
13; Where previously to the passing of this Ordinance. the taking
of the oaths of allegiance, supremacy arid abjtxnation, or any two or one
of such oaths, .or any oath substituted therefor; formed a condition
precedent or subsequent to the attainment .by any person of any, office,
prvilene, civil rights, exemption or other benefit, there shall be
substituted
for such-.oaths or any two or one of them, or for 'such substituted oath;
the oath o£ allegiance prescribed by this Ordinance.
14. Where in . any, oath under this, Ordinance the name ofsHer-AM
present Majesty is expressed,, the name of the Sovereign for the
bein ; shall be substituted from tune to time. __
15, When an oath is.required to be taken under this Ordina~ce
every person for the time being by haw permitted to make a solemi
a#flrmation ox declaration - instead of. taking an oath may -instead : of
<.taking such oath, make a solemn affirmation in the form of oath here by-
No. 4 of 1869.
Promissory Oaths.
appointed substituting the, words 'solemnly sincerely and truly declare
aid affirm' for. the word 'sear' and on1ittincr the words 'So hells
me God. '
SCHEDULE.
First Part.
The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or Officer ~ The oaths to be tendered
by the - fV ttr~enr4
Administering the Government, Chief Justice:
The Colonial Secretary,
The Attorney General,
The Colonial Treasurer,
The Auditor, General,
The Chief Justice,
Second part.
The Puisne Judges,
The Judge of the Court of Summary Jurisdic-
tion,
The Registrar General,.
The Magistrate's of Police,
The Justices of, Peace;
The Marine Magistyte, ,
The Coroner,
The Sheri,~,
No. b 0f 1869.
The oaths to be tendered by the
Governor.
The oaths to b® tendered by the
Governor.
,The oaths ,ta be tendered by the ::
-Clerk. 4the ;.CpunGils m tlio'nresenaE of the'GoP~rnor
Co'url and °thi,
Itegfiatrars' ixa
annded.6 --YZ VIM. ~.:o
1030
Title.
Preamble.
Short title.
Form of oath of alleriance.
Form of offcial oath.
1031
Form of judicial oath.
Persons to take the official oath and the oath of allegiance.
Persons take the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath.
Oaths of Executive Councillors.
Oath of Legislative Councillors.
Oaths of the Clerk of the Councils.
1032
Oath of aliens on naturalization.
Penalty for not taking required oath.
In case of aliens on naturalization.
Oath of allegiance herein prescribed to be substituted for oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration.
The name of the Sovereing for the time being to be used in the oath.
Provision in favor of persons permitted to make affirmations.
1033
[ * Repealed by Ordinance No. 2 of 1887.]
[ * 'Registrar of the Supreme Court and the Deputy Registrars' as amended by No. 2 of 1887.]
No. 4 of 18689
An Ordinance to amend the Law relating to 'Promissory Oaths.'
[24th September, 1869]
WliEREA:S it is expedient to amend the law
relating to promissory
oaths: Be it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the
:advice of the Legislative Council thereof, as follow$':-_
.- 1, This,Ordinance may be cited for all purposes as the Promissory
Oaths Ordinance, 1869.'
rorivof:QAth Pq; The oath in this Ordinance referred to as the oath of
allegiance
of aIZegia'cesW1-be-in the for iii following ; : that, is to say
~~ I do swear that I will be faithful and bear
true allegiance to Her! Majesty Queen Victoria, Her Heir s and
Successors, according to law. So help me God.' .
3, The oath in this Ordinance referred to as the official oath shall be
17.i1 -;oanu~ .
in the form following; that is to say
~~ .I: do swear that I will well and truly serve
Her Majesty (queen Victoria in the office of
So help me God.'
ORDINANCE ?~:o. ~-4 OF'1869.
Promissory Oaths.
4. The oath in this Ordinance referred to as the judicial oath shall
Fo,ni of
jndioial oath::,
be in the form following ; that is to say
' I , do swear that I will well and truly serve
our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria in the office of
and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws
and usages o£ this Colony, without fear or favor, affection or ill
will. So help me God.','
A The oath of allegiance and official oath shall be taken by each of
rErRoneto`
takEtnE
the officers named in the first part of the schedule annexed hereto as
soon official oath
and the oath
as may be after his acceptance of office, and such, oaths shall be
tendered - of allegiance.
'by the officer, and in the manner in that behalf mentioned in the -said
°first part of the said schedule.
6, The oath of allegiance and the judicial oath shall be taken by Persons
to
take the oath.
each of the officers named in the second part of the schedule hereto as
of allegiance
ana the
soon as may be after his acceptance of office, and such oaths shall be
inaieiai oath.
tendered by the officer, and in the manner in that behalf mentioned in the
-said second -part.of the said schedule.
''~. `Members of the Executive Council shall take the oath
- L%EOl'1t1VE .
gianee and an oath of fidelity in tlle'discharga of-their. duties' in the
forrri,; '-dou~omors''following; -that is to say
«I
being chosen and admitted -of 14er
Majesty's Executive Council in this Colony, do swear that I
will, to the best of my judgment at all times when thereto
required, freely hive my counsel and advice to the Governor,
Lieutenant-Governor, or Officer Administering the Government
of this Colony for the time being, for the good management of
the public affairs of this Colony: that 'I will not directly or in-
directly reveal such matters as shall'be-debuted in Council and,
committed to my secrecy, but that hwil-l in all things be a true
=and faithful councillor. , So-helpme -Cod.'
The said oaths of allegiance and fidelity shall be tendered by the
Governor.
$. Members of the Legislative Council shall take the oath .of alle-
iarice only, and the same shall be tendered by the Governor.
9. The -Clerk of the -Councils shall take the oath of a1aegiance.ancl
,an oath of secrecy in the fbrm following; that is tovsay:.
Oath of
Legislative
Councillors.
Oaths 4 the
Clerk of the
Councils.'
0&tii of aliens
on naturaliza-
ORDINAV'CE No. 4 of 1869.
Promissory Oaths:
having been appointed Clerk. of the
Councils in this Colony, do swear that I will not directly ,or
indirectly reveal such matters as shall be debated in the
Executive Council and committed to my secrecy. So help
me God.'
The said oaths shall be tendered by the Colonial Secretary.
10. Aliens on naturalization shall take the oath of allegiance onI ''IR
and the same shall be tendered by the Clerk of the' Councils in tl
presence of the Colonial Secretary.
11. If any person declines or neglects when any oath or affirmation
required to be. taken or made by him under this Ordinance is duly
tendered he shall, if he has already catered on his office, vacate ; the
same, and if he has not catered on the same be disqualified from entering
on the same; but do person shall be compelled 'in respect , of the same =.
oointinent to the same office to take such oath or make such affirmation.-
any'.!-.1- ien -~y`ho .` shall have--applied for a certificate of .natura
lization-shall°decline u~ ~'rieglect to take the oath or make the
affiritatiot~ ,
required -to-be taken ~or made,, by him under this Ordinance when dn'1Y- -r
tendered, be shall >be disq~iali(ied from obtaining the said certificate
arid,-_,
if the same shall have been already granted, it shall become ipso
.void.
o£-allegiance, -
anprem6,cy; .
and abjAra-
tion:
The narxle of
the Rovereign
f4,the time
~ieirig_to be-
c,u'.sediri-the
oath. -:.; .
:P~v'i~r~iin
fawtixof
persdus
Permitted, .
to znk~ke
13; Where previously to the passing of this Ordinance. the taking
of the oaths of allegiance, supremacy arid abjtxnation, or any two or one
of such oaths, .or any oath substituted therefor; formed a condition
precedent or subsequent to the attainment .by any person of any, office,
prvilene, civil rights, exemption or other benefit, there shall be
substituted
for such-.oaths or any two or one of them, or for 'such substituted oath;
the oath o£ allegiance prescribed by this Ordinance.
14. Where in . any, oath under this, Ordinance the name ofsHer-AM
present Majesty is expressed,, the name of the Sovereign for the
bein ; shall be substituted from tune to time. __
15, When an oath is.required to be taken under this Ordina~ce
every person for the time being by haw permitted to make a solemi
a#flrmation ox declaration - instead of. taking an oath may -instead : of
<.taking such oath, make a solemn affirmation in the form of oath here by-
No. 4 of 1869.
Promissory Oaths.
appointed substituting the, words 'solemnly sincerely and truly declare
aid affirm' for. the word 'sear' and on1ittincr the words 'So hells
me God. '
SCHEDULE.
First Part.
The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or Officer ~ The oaths to be tendered
by the - fV ttr~enr4
Administering the Government, Chief Justice:
The Colonial Secretary,
The Attorney General,
The Colonial Treasurer,
The Auditor, General,
The Chief Justice,
Second part.
The Puisne Judges,
The Judge of the Court of Summary Jurisdic-
tion,
The Registrar General,.
The Magistrate's of Police,
The Justices of, Peace;
The Marine Magistyte, ,
The Coroner,
The Sheri,~,
No. b 0f 1869.
The oaths to be tendered by the
Governor.
The oaths to b® tendered by the
Governor.
,The oaths ,ta be tendered by the ::
-Clerk. 4the ;.CpunGils m tlio'nresenaE of the'GoP~rnor
Co'url and °thi,
Itegfiatrars' ixa
annded.6 --YZ VIM. ~.:o
1030
Title.
Preamble.
Short title.
Form of oath of alleriance.
Form of offcial oath.
1031
Form of judicial oath.
Persons to take the official oath and the oath of allegiance.
Persons take the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath.
Oaths of Executive Councillors.
Oath of Legislative Councillors.
Oaths of the Clerk of the Councils.
1032
Oath of aliens on naturalization.
Penalty for not taking required oath.
In case of aliens on naturalization.
Oath of allegiance herein prescribed to be substituted for oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration.
The name of the Sovereing for the time being to be used in the oath.
Provision in favor of persons permitted to make affirmations.
1033
[ * Repealed by Ordinance No. 2 of 1887.]
[ * 'Registrar of the Supreme Court and the Deputy Registrars' as amended by No. 2 of 1887.]
Abstract
1030
Title.
Preamble.
Short title.
Form of oath of alleriance.
Form of offcial oath.
1031
Form of judicial oath.
Persons to take the official oath and the oath of allegiance.
Persons take the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath.
Oaths of Executive Councillors.
Oath of Legislative Councillors.
Oaths of the Clerk of the Councils.
1032
Oath of aliens on naturalization.
Penalty for not taking required oath.
In case of aliens on naturalization.
Oath of allegiance herein prescribed to be substituted for oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration.
The name of the Sovereing for the time being to be used in the oath.
Provision in favor of persons permitted to make affirmations.
1033
[ * Repealed by Ordinance No. 2 of 1887.]
[ * 'Registrar of the Supreme Court and the Deputy Registrars' as amended by No. 2 of 1887.]
Title.
Preamble.
Short title.
Form of oath of alleriance.
Form of offcial oath.
1031
Form of judicial oath.
Persons to take the official oath and the oath of allegiance.
Persons take the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath.
Oaths of Executive Councillors.
Oath of Legislative Councillors.
Oaths of the Clerk of the Councils.
1032
Oath of aliens on naturalization.
Penalty for not taking required oath.
In case of aliens on naturalization.
Oath of allegiance herein prescribed to be substituted for oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration.
The name of the Sovereing for the time being to be used in the oath.
Provision in favor of persons permitted to make affirmations.
1033
[ * Repealed by Ordinance No. 2 of 1887.]
[ * 'Registrar of the Supreme Court and the Deputy Registrars' as amended by No. 2 of 1887.]
Identifier
https://oelawhk.lib.hku.hk/items/show/261
Edition
1890
Volume
v2
Cap / Ordinance No.
No. 4 of 1869
Number of Pages
4
Files
Collection
Historical Laws of Hong Kong Online
Citation
“PROMISSORY OATHS ORDINANCE, 1869,” Historical Laws of Hong Kong Online, accessed June 11, 2025, https://oelawhk.lib.hku.hk/items/show/261.
