Truth was his defense: The libel trial of

John Peter Zenger Trial of Zenger John Peter Zenger emigrated from Germany in Zenger was arrested on Nov. 17, 1734. He spent nine 1710 with his family but his father dided during the months in jail but continued to print by speaking to his journey. Zenger served as an apprentice under wife through a hole in the door of his cell. The only week William Bradford at the New York Gazette until 1726. The New York Weekly Journal didn’t print was the week Seven years later, he started publishing The New York after he was arrested. Zenger issued an apology in the Weekly Journal. Zenger quickly solidified himself as Nov. 25 edition. an opponent of , the then-governor of During Zenger’s incarceration, Cosby manipulated the New York. After he was arrested for seditious libel, government for his benefit several times while in office. Zenger continued to print the publication with the help He disbarred two of Zenger’s lawyers and even selected of his wife, Anna Zenger. two judges that would help do his bidding. One of Zenger’s lawyers, , was also the William Cosby founder of The New York Weekly Journal. In those days, seditious libel only had to be printed, and it King George II named William Cosby the governor didn’t matter if the information was true or false. The of New York in 1732 but Cosby disagreed with the jury’s instructions were to determine whether Zenger actions of governor and Cosby wanted published articles about Crosby. But the jurors returned to take Van Dam’s salary. Supreme Court Chief with an acquittal in favor of Zenger. Justice voted against allowing the wage Zenger’s attorney, , returned to confiscation. Cosby later removed Morris from office Philadelphia and drafted the plans for Independence Hall. and replaced him with an ally. The saga was the first Cosby died in 1736. chapter of Cosby’s abuse of power in New York. References Andrew Hamilton • "Brandon's APUSH Blog." : LAD #2: John Peter Zenger. Philadelphia’s Andrew Hamilton came to Zenger’s • "A Chronology of the Events Surrounding the Trial of rescue after Cosby has disbarred his previous two John Peter Zenger." UMKC. lawyers. Hamilton was already successful when he • "First Among Many: The Bay Psalm Book and Early decided to take Zenger’s case. Prior to the trial, Moments in American PrintingOnline Hamilton was the attorney general of Pennsylvania Exhibition." Online Exhibition. from 1717-1724. • “Key figures in the Zenger Trial.” UMKC • "Legal History Matters"" Crown v. John Peter Zenger, 1735. • "Peter Zenger and Freedom of the Press." Peter Zenger and Freedom of the Press. Archiving Early America. Timeline

November November August 1732 January 1734 April 1735 July 1735 August 1735 1733 1734

•William •Zenger •Article against •Zenger is •Zenger’s •Andrew •Trial starts but

Cosby started Cosby is arrested and attorneys, Hamilton after becomes publishing published spends the James becomes deliberating, governor of The New York regarding the next nine Alexander Zenger’s the jury

New York. Weekly New York months in jail and William attorney. acquits Journal. Gazette being Smith, are Zenger. propaganda. disbarred.

By: Tyler Dixon www.postersession.com