LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

Depiction of John Peter Zenger's trial, with Alexander Hamilton defending

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

Zenger was a German immigrant who, after serving an apprenticeship as a printer of the New York Gazette, became a printer of the New York Weekly Journal. He wrote in it in opposition to the colonial governor, William Cosby, who had removed Chief Justice Lewis Morris in favor of James Delaney when he had been unable to agree with him on his salary. His articles criticizing Cosby got him condemned and arrested for seditious libel. 

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

Zenger was arrested for seditious libel. The prosecution said that the fact he published the offending articles should be enough to convict him of libel, but Hamilton argued that, while it was true that Zenger published stories that criticized Cosby, it could not be considered libel since it could in fact be proved true. He was acquitted.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

It showed that if a statement was true, it could not be considered libel, and established that the truth is "an absolute defense against libel." This affected, and will affect, future cases with similar circumstances.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.

Freedom of the press was affirmed as it promised that articles criticizing someone could be legally published as long as it was true.