LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
Was a German emigrant and the printer of the New York Magazine, the New York Weekly Journal, in the early 1700s. He was put thrown in jail and on trial by Governor William Cosby for printing things in his magazine that the Governor did not like, such as criticizing him.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
Zenger wrote about the royal Governor, William Cosby, in his magazine, criticizing him for his actions in prosecuting the iterim Governor, and even removing a cheif justice. Hamilton spoke directly to the jury, presenting his case to them. He said that although the articles were harsh, they were true and this means that Zenger should not be charged with libel. When the jury left to make their final decision, no time was wasted andthey re-entered the courtroom no more than fifteen minutes later with the verdict of not guilty.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradtion?
This case set the example to follow of being rational and not tyrannical in libel cases, such as this one. It also showed that the courts would stand up for the liberties granted to the citizens of America.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
The lasting significance is the affirmation of the freedom of press. This case guaranteed that the freedoms declared in many documents in American History were in fact true and backed up with evidence and the judicial courts as well.