Brief Narrative of the Case and Tryal of John Peter Zenger
First EditionPaul Finkelman
©2010As one of the most significant publications of colonial America, Brief Narrative of the Case and Tryal of John Peter Zenger represents a major turning point in the history of freedom of the press and the political development of colonial America and the early republic. This text recounts Zenger's 1735 trial on charges of seditious libel and contains groundbreaking arguments by his attorney, Andrew Hamilton.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
A Note on the Text
Preface
A Note on the Text
PART ONE
Introduction: Politics, the Press, and the Trial of John
Introduction: Politics, the Press, and the Trial of John
Peter Zenger
Governor William Cosby and New York Politics
John Peter Zenger, Political Printer
The Law of Seditious Libel
Cosby’s Response to the Weekly Journal
The Disbarment of Zenger’s Lawyers
The Trial of John Peter Zenger
A Political Precedent
In the Court of History
Governor William Cosby and New York Politics
John Peter Zenger, Political Printer
The Law of Seditious Libel
Cosby’s Response to the Weekly Journal
The Disbarment of Zenger’s Lawyers
The Trial of John Peter Zenger
A Political Precedent
In the Court of History
PART TWO
A Brief Narrative of the Case and Tryal of John Peter Zenger,
A Brief Narrative of the Case and Tryal of John Peter Zenger,
Printer of the NEW YORK WEEKLY JOURNAL
Zenger the Printer and an Angry Governor
Zenger’s Arrest and His Lawyers’ Disbarment
A New Lawyer Prevents a Stacked Jury
The Charges Against Zenger
A Second New Lawyer Surprises the Court and Confuses
Zenger the Printer and an Angry Governor
Zenger’s Arrest and His Lawyers’ Disbarment
A New Lawyer Prevents a Stacked Jury
The Charges Against Zenger
A Second New Lawyer Surprises the Court and Confuses
the Prosecutor
Asserting Truth as a Defense
Hamilton’s Appeal to the Jury
Hamilton’s Use of Precedent
Concluding the Trial
Honoring Hamilton
Asserting Truth as a Defense
Hamilton’s Appeal to the Jury
Hamilton’s Use of Precedent
Concluding the Trial
Honoring Hamilton
PART THREE
Related Documents
1. New York Weekly Journal, An Essay on the Liberty of the
Related Documents
1. New York Weekly Journal, An Essay on the Liberty of the
Press, November 12 and 19, 1733
2. New York Weekly Journal, Zenger’s “Criminal” Articles,
2. New York Weekly Journal, Zenger’s “Criminal” Articles,
December 17, 1733, and September 23, 1734
A. An Article Questioning Cosby’s Judgment in Foreign Affairs
B. The Middletown Letters
3. New York Weekly Journal, An “Illegal” Attack on the
A. An Article Questioning Cosby’s Judgment in Foreign Affairs
B. The Middletown Letters
3. New York Weekly Journal, An “Illegal” Attack on the
Attorney General, January 28, 1734
4. “Anglo-Americanus,” Response to the Zenger Narrative,
4. “Anglo-Americanus,” Response to the Zenger Narrative,
July 20, 1737
APPENDIXES
A Chronology of Events Related to the Case and Trial of
John Peter Zenger
Questions for Consideration
Selected Bibliography
Questions for Consideration
Selected Bibliography
Index