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Indelible Ink – the Trial of John Peter Zenger and the Birth of America’S Free Press
BOOK REVIEW By M. KELLY TILLERY Indelible Ink – The Trial of John Peter Zenger and the Birth of America’s Free Press ichard Kluger won the Pulitzer in late 1733. Alexander and Morris RPrize for his masterful expose intended to use it as a vehicle to make of the cigarette industry in Cosby and his royal administration Ashes to Ashes in 1996, and his study accountable to the people. As the most of school desegregation, Simple Justice prominent and wealthy lawyer in New (1975), is a classic. His latest, equally York, Alexander had a lot to lose and excellent if less controversial should be thus concealed his involvement, lest he of interest to every Philadelphia Lawyer. be charged with seditious libel or worse. Indelible Ink is the most thoughtful, Zenger was a businessman without comprehensive and well-researched any particular political leanings, but study of the 1735 criminal trial in New he knew this was risky business. So York City of newspaper publisher John he made a deal. He would print, and Peter Zenger on charges of seditious Morris and Alexander would write, but libel. While you may know that Zenger Alexander would pay for everything and was acquitted, that he was defended by a defend him for free if he was charged. Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Hamilton, And Zenger would not betray his and that his victory was based upon the backer’s identity. defense of truth, Kluger sets forth so The newspaper was a hit as each much more. And, it is not all what you issue turned up the heat on Cosby. -
EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY German Immigration to Mainland
The Flow and the Composition of German Immigration to Philadelphia, 1727-177 5 IGHTEENTH-CENTURY German immigration to mainland British America was the only large influx of free white political E aliens unfamiliar with the English language.1 The German settlers arrived relatively late in the colonial period, long after the diversity of seventeenth-century mainland settlements had coalesced into British dominance. Despite its singularity, German migration has remained a relatively unexplored topic, and the sources for such inquiry have not been adequately surveyed and analyzed. Like other pre-Revolutionary migrations, German immigration af- fected some colonies more than others. Settlement projects in New England and Nova Scotia created clusters of Germans in these places, as did the residue of early though unfortunate German settlement in New York. Many Germans went directly or indirectly to the Carolinas. While backcountry counties of Maryland and Virginia acquired sub- stantial German populations in the colonial era, most of these people had entered through Pennsylvania and then moved south.2 Clearly 1 'German' is used here synonymously with German-speaking and 'Germany' refers primar- ily to that part of southwestern Germany from which most pre-Revolutionary German-speaking immigrants came—Cologne to the Swiss Cantons south of Basel 2 The literature on German immigration to the American colonies is neither well defined nor easily accessible, rather, pertinent materials have to be culled from a large number of often obscure publications -
The Trial of John Peter Zenger
THE TRIAL OF JOHN PETER ZENGER A Play in Five Scenes by Michael E. Tigar Copyright © 1986, Michael E. Tigar All Rights Reserved Written for Initial Performance at the Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association New York, New York, August 10, 1986 Cast of Characters, in Order of Appearance (With names of actors at initial performance) John Peter Zenger, a printer (Scott Armstrong) Chief Justice James Delancey (Tim Miller) James Alexander, a lawyer (David Keyser) Richard Bradley, Attorney General of New York (Mac Williams) John Chambers, a lawyer (Rick Froom) Andrew Hamilton, a lawyer (Michael E. Tigar) Margaret Hamilton, his daughter (Katherine Tigar) Peter Zenger, Zenger's son (Steve Cummins) Thomas Hunt, Foreman of the Jury (G. William Birrell) Scene I: Supreme Court, New York City, April 1735 Scene II: Andrew Hamilton's home in Philadelphia, August 1735 Scene III: The Black Horse Tavern, New York City, August 1735 Scene IV: Supreme Court, New York City, August 1735 Scene V: Supreme Court, New York City, August 1735 ZENGER.DOC Page 1 Program Notes The libel trial of John Peter Zenger was a celebrated event in American colonial history: It fueled the dispute over freedom of the press in New York for decades thereafter. Briefly, Zenger was arrested and charged with libelling the colonial Governor, William Cosby. The Chief Justice, James Delancey, who presided at the trial, was a wealthy adherent to Cosby's cause, and was only 32 years old at the time of the trial. Cosby appointed Delancey to be Chief Justice when the former Chief Justice ruled against Cosby in a celebrated suit. -
The French Natchez Settlement According to the Memory of Dumont De Montigny
The French Natchez Settlement According to the Memory of Dumont de Montigny TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements Chapter One: Introduction……………………………………………………..…...1 Chapter Two: Dumont de Montigny………………………………………….......15 Chapter Three: French Colonial Architecture………………………………….....28 Chapter Four: The Natchez Settlement: Analysis of Dumont’s Maps…..………..43 Chapter Five: Conclusion…………………………………………………………95 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………..105 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my advisor Dr. Vincas Steponaitis for his endless support and guidance throughout the whole research and writing process. I would also like to thank my defense committee, Dr. Anna Agbe-Davies and Dr. Kathleen Duval, for volunteering their time. Finally I would like to thank Dr. Elizabeth Jones who greatly assisted me by translating portions of Dumont’s maps. INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The Natchez settlement, founded in 1716, was one of the many settlements founded by the French in the Louisiana Colony. Fort Rosalie was built to protect the settlers and concessions from the dangers of the frontier. Despite the military presence, the Natchez Indians attacked the settlement and destroyed the most profitable agricultural venture in Louisiana. While this settlement has not been excavated, many first-hand accounts exist documenting events at the settlement. The account this paper is concerned with is the work of Dumont de Montigny, a lieutenant and engineer in the French Army. Dumont spent his time in Louisiana creating plans and drawings of various French establishments, one of which being Fort Rosalie and the Natchez settlement. Upon his return to France, Dumont documented his experiences in Natchez in two forms, an epic poem and a prose memoir. Included in these works were detailed maps of Louisiana and specifically of the Natchez settlement. -
The Trial of John Peter Zenger
The Trial of John Peter Zenger Should someone be prosecuted for criticizing a government official even if the words are true? Should a judge or a jury decide the case? These were the key issues in the trial of John Peter Zenger. English kings had long controlled the press. King Henry VIII required all writing be licensed before it could be printed. The king prosecuted authors and printers who published unlicensed writing. A powerful royal council known as the Star Chamber controlled the licensing of printed works. The Star Chamber also created a crime called libel. “Seditious libel” was the most serious kind of libel. This outlawed insulting the government, its laws, and officials. Kings and parliaments wanted people to respect them. The Star Chamber ruled that the truth of printed words did not matter. Truth was not a defense in libel cases. In fact, the Star Chamber saw true statements that libeled the government as more dangerous than false ones. People would more easily dismiss false statements. The most famous trial lawyer in the American colonies, Parliament got rid of the Star Chamber Andrew Hamilton addressed the court. He was in 1642, and the last licensing laws defending publisher Peter Zenger against the criminal expired by 1695. But courts continued charge of seditious libel. (New York State Library) to enforce the Star Chamber libel laws. Judges decided whether printed words were libelous. Juries decided only if a defendant had published the words in question. By 1700, “freedom of the press” in England only meant no government licensing. Once authors and printers had published their writing, English officials could still charge them with seditious libel. -
Chronicle of a Deflation Unforetold
Chronicle of a Deflation Unforetold Chronicle of a Deflation Unforetold Fran¸coisR. Velde Econometric Society N.A. Summer Meetings, June 24, 2007 Chronicle of a Deflation Unforetold Introduction Motivation Lucas's 1995 Nobel lecture begins with Hume (1752) to display a tension at the heart of macroeconomics: I neutrality of money seems \evident" I \If we consider any one kingdom by itself, it is evident that the greater or lesser plenty of money is of no consequence; since prices of commodities are always proportion'd to the plenty of money" I but experience shows otherwise I \tho' the high price of commodities be a necessary consequence of the encrease of gold and silver, yet it follows not immediately upon that encrease, but some time is requir'd before the money circulate thro' the whole state, and make its effects be felt on all ranks of people" ::: Mons. de Tot [Dutot]'s observations were generated by just such an experiment, and they don't support neutrality. Chronicle of a Deflation Unforetold Introduction Motivation (2) How did Hume reach these two conclusions? Mixture of I loosely referenced empirical observations I \These facts I give upon the authority of Mons. de Tot" I a priori reasoning: \magical" thought experiments I \suppose that, by miracle, every man in Britain shou'd have five pounds slipt into his pocket in one night" Chronicle of a Deflation Unforetold Introduction Motivation (2) How did Hume reach these two conclusions? Mixture of I loosely referenced empirical observations I \These facts I give upon the authority of Mons. de Tot" I a priori reasoning: \magical" thought experiments I \suppose that, by miracle, every man in Britain shou'd have five pounds slipt into his pocket in one night" ::: Mons. -
Chronicles of a Deflation Unforetold
Chronicles of a Deflation Unforetold Chronicles of a Deflation Unforetold Fran¸cois R. Velde Monetary and Financial History Workshop, Atlanta Fed 2006 Chronicles of a Deflation Unforetold Introduction Motivation Lucas’s 1995 Nobel lecture begins with Hume (1752): I neutrality of money “evident” I “If we consider any one kingdom by itself, it is evident that the greater or lesser plenty of money is of no consequence; since prices of commodities are always proportion’d to the plenty of money” I experience shows otherwise I “tho’ the high price of commodities be a necessary consequence of the encrease of gold and silver, yet it follows not immediately upon that encrease, but some time is requir’d before the money circulate thro’ the whole state, and make its effects be felt on all ranks of people” ... or was it? Hume was in fact referring to an actual experiment. Chronicles of a Deflation Unforetold Introduction Motivation (2) I How the quantity of money changes matters I Hume’s thought experiment “magical” I “suppose that, by miracle, every man in Britain shou’d have five pounds slipt into his pocket in one night” Chronicles of a Deflation Unforetold Introduction Motivation (2) I How the quantity of money changes matters I Hume’s thought experiment “magical” I “suppose that, by miracle, every man in Britain shou’d have five pounds slipt into his pocket in one night” ... or was it? Hume was in fact referring to an actual experiment. Chronicles of a Deflation Unforetold Introduction This paper A magical experiment: I from August 1723 to September 1724 -
Bristol, Africa and the Eighteenth Century Slave Trade To
BRISTOL RECORD SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS General Editor: JOSEPH BE1TEY, M.A., Ph.D., F.S.A. Assistant Editor: MISS ELIZABETH RALPH, M.A., F.S.A. VOL. XLII BRISTOL, AFRICA AND THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY SLAVE TRADE TO AMERICA VOL. 3 THE YEARS OF DECLINE 1746-1769 BRISTOL, AFRICA AND THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY SLAVE TRADE TO AMERICA VOL. 3 THE YEARS OF DECLINE 1746-1769 EDITED BY DAYID RICHARDSON Printed for the BRISTOL RECORD SOCIETY 1991 ISBN 0 901538 12 4 ISSN 0305 8730 © David Richardson Bristol Record Society wishes to express its gratitude to the Marc Fitch Fund and to the University of Bristol Publications Fund for generous grants in support of this volume. Produced for the Society by Alan Sutton Publishing Limited, Stroud, Glos. Printed in Great Britain CONTENTS Page Acknowledgements vi Introduction . vii Note on transcription xxxii List of abbreviations xxxiii ·Text 1 Index 235 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In the process of ·compiling and editing the information on Bristol voyages to Africa contained in this volume I have received assistance and advice from various individuals and organisations. The task of collecting the material was made much easier from the outset by the generous help and advice I received from the staff at the Public Record Office, the Bristol Record Office, the Bristol Central Library and the Bristol Society of Merchant Venturers. I am grateful to the Society of Merchant Venturers for permission to consult its records and to cite material from them. I am also indebted to the British Academy for its generosity in awarding me a grant in order to allow me to complete my research on Bristol voyages to Africa. -
John Peter Zenger and Freedom of the Press
John Peter Zenger and Freedom of the Press Should someone be prosecuted for criticizing or insulting a government official even if the offending words are the truth? Should a judge or a jury decide the case? These were the key questions argued in the colonial New York trial of John PeterZenger. s early as 1275, the English AParliament had outlawed “any slanderous News” that may cause “dis- cord” between the king and his people. Slander, however, only referred to the spoken word. Published works became a much more serious threat to kings and parliaments after the invention of print- ing greatly enhanced communication in the 1400s. By the 1500s, King Henry VIII of England required all writing be cen- The most famous trial lawyer in the American colonies, Andrew Hamilton addressed the sored and licensed by royal officials court. He was defending publisher Peter Zenger against the criminal charge of seditious libel. (New York State Library) before being printed. Known as “prior restraint,” this heavy-handed control over the printed word resulted in prose- The Star Chamber ruled that the truth of printed words cutions of authors and printers who published unli- did not matter. Truth was not a defense in libel cases. censed writings. In fact, the Star Chamber considered truthful state- W In England, a powerful royal council known as ments that libeled the government or its officials as the Star Chamber controlled the licensing of even more dangerous than false ones. People would U printed works. (The council got its name more easily dismiss false statements. because stars covered the ceiling of its meeting Parliament abolished the Star Chamber in 1642, and S room.) The Star Chamber created a new crime the last licensing laws expired by 1695. -
The Value of Money in Eighteenth-Century England: Incomes, Prices, Buying Power— and Some Problems in Cultural Economics
The Value of Money in Eighteenth-Century England: Incomes, Prices, Buying Power— and Some Problems in Cultural Economics Robert D. Hume &'453&(5 Robert D. Hume offers an empirical investigation of incomes, cost, artist remuneration, and buying power in the realm of long eighteenth-century cultural production and purchase. What was earned by writers, actors, singers, musicians, and painters? Who could afford to buy a book? Attend a play or opera? Acquire a painting? Only 6 percent of families had £100 per annum income, and only about 3 percent had £200. What is the “buying power” magnitude of such sums? No single multiplier yields a legitimate present-day equivalent, but a range of 200 –300 gives a rough sense of magnitude for most of this period. Novels are now thought of as a bourgeois phenomenon, but they cost 3s. per volume. A family with a £200 annual income would have to spend nearly a full day’s income to buy a four-volume novel, but only 12 percent for a play. The market for plays was natu - rally much larger, which explains high copyright payments to playwrights and very low payments for most novels—hence the large number of novels by women, who had few ways to earn money. From this investigation we learn two broad facts. First, that the earnings of most writers, actors, musicians, and singers were gener - ally scanty but went disproportionately to a few stars, and second, that most of the culture we now study is inarguably elite: it was mostly consumed by the top 1 per - cent or 0.5 percent of the English population. -
Germans Settling North America : Going Dutch – Gone American
Gellinek Going Dutch – Gone American Christian Gellinek Going Dutch – Gone American Germans Settling North America Aschendorff Münster Printed with the kind support of Carl-Toepfer-Stiftung, Hamburg, Germany © 2003 Aschendorff Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Münster Das Werk ist urheberrechtlich geschützt. Die dadurch begründeten Rechte, insbesondere die der Überset- zung, des Nachdrucks, der Entnahme von Abbildungen, der Funksendung, der Wiedergabe auf foto- mechanischem oder ähnlichem Wege und der Speicherung in Datenverarbeitungsanlagen bleiben, auch bei nur auszugsweiser Verwertung, vorbehalten. Die Vergütungsansprüche des § 54, Abs. 2, UrhG, werden durch die Verwertungsgesellschaft Wort wahrgenommen. Druck: Druckhaus Aschendorff, Münster, 2003 Gedruckt auf säurefreiem, alterungsbeständigem Papier ∞ ISBN 3-402-05182-6 This Book is dedicated to my teacher of Comparative Anthropology at Yale Law School from 1961 to 1963 F. S. C. Northrop (1893–1992) Sterling Professor of Philosophy and Law, author of the benchmark for comparative philosophy, Philosophical Anthropology and Practical Politics This Book has two mottoes which bifurcate as the topic =s divining rod The first motto is by GERTRUDE STEIN [1874–1946], a Pennsylvania-born woman of letters, raised in California, and expatriate resident of Europe after 1903: AIn the United States there is more space where nobody is than where anybody is. That is what makes America what it is.@1 The second motto has to do with the German immigration. It is borrowed from a book by THEODOR FONTANE [1819–1898], a Brandenburg-born writer, and a critic of Prussia. An old German woman, whose grandchildren have emigrated to Anmerica is speaking in her dialect of Low German: [ADröwen in Amirika. -
Smallpox Inoculation in Britain, 1721-1830
University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations 1990 Pox Britannica: Smallpox Inoculation in Britain, 1721-1830 Deborah Christian Brunton University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations Part of the European History Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, and the Virus Diseases Commons Recommended Citation Brunton, Deborah Christian, "Pox Britannica: Smallpox Inoculation in Britain, 1721-1830" (1990). Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations. 999. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/999 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/999 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Pox Britannica: Smallpox Inoculation in Britain, 1721-1830 Abstract Inoculation has an important place in the history of medicine: not only was it the first form of preventive medicine but its history spans the so-called eighteenth century 'medical revolution'. A study of the myriad of pamphlets, books and articles on the controversial practice casts new light on these fundamental changes in the medical profession and medical practice. Whereas historians have associated the abandonment of old humoural theories and individualised therapy in favour of standardised techniques with the emergence of new institutions in the second half of the century, inoculation suggests that changes began as early as the 1720s. Though inoculation was initially accompanied by a highly individualised preparation of diet and drugs, more routinised sequences of therapy appeared the 1740s and by the late 1760s all inoculated patients followed exactly the same preparative regimen. This in turn made possible the institutionalised provision of inoculation, first through the system of poor relief, later by dispensaries and charitable societies.