Page 167 - Historical Dictionary of Political Communication in the United States

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ZENGER, JOHN PETER (1697-1748). In today's terms, a media event earned
John Peter Zenger a place in history. He was a 13-year-old, fatherless German
immigrant when he arrived in New York with others from the Palatines in 1710,
part of a group sent by Queen Anne. Indentured as an apprentice to William
Bradford, he learned the printing trade. He settled in New York in 1722, married,
and in 1725 began a partnership with Bradford, before becoming independent
within a short time. A middle-class revolt against the British administration led
to Zenger's being set up as editor of an antigovernment journal, the New York
Weekly Journal. The content was undoubtedly penned by his supporters, irritated
by the arbitrary removal of Lewis Morris from a chief justiceship by Governor
William Cosby. Although his own writing lacked the quality of his better-
educated backers, it was full of spirit. More important, as publisher of the news-
paper, he was legally responsible for its contents. In April 1735 he was charged
with libel, specifically for his articles attacking the opinions and actions of the
governor. He was jailed, and his supporters could have made bail but didn't.
He communicated with his wife and others through the jail door. A prominent
Philadelphia lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, mounted a brilliant and effective chal-
lenge to prevailing law that eventually freed Zenger. Despite the orders of the
judge, Hamilton urged the jury to consider the truth of Zenger's statements as
a defense against the libel charge. The jury did just that, despite the lack of
legal precedent, and found for Zenger. Zenger became a celebrated figure in
colonial America and was named public printer for both New York and New
Jersey.
SOURCES: Cathy Covert, " 'Passion Is Ye Prevailing Motive': The Feud behind the
Zenger Case," Journalism Quarterly, Spring 1973; Livingston Rutherford, John Peter
Zenger, His Press, His Trial, and Bibliography of Zenger Imprints, 1968.
Wallace B. Eberhard