Paul Cooney
AP American
LAD 2
September 7, 2006


1) Who was John Peter Zenger?
John Peter Zenger was a newspaper publisher in 1733 called New York Weekly Journal. In it he included a section which exposed corrupt British practices of the colonial government, a serious crime at the time. In particular he voiced an opposition to the policies of the new colonial governor William Cosby. Cosby fought for a higher salary, and when he did get it he removed the state’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Lewis Morris. Morris was replaced by James Delancey of the royal party, who was more willing to grant Zenger’s requests.

2) What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton’s defense.
Zenger was tried with publishing articles critical of the British government, and he openly admitted it in court. The irony was that the law that put him in prison was the British sedition law, and the law itself was contradicting the liberty and justice the British preached. Hamilton decided to plead Zenger’s case directly to the jury, because the Chief Justice Delancey had been appointed by the same person who had Senger arrested. Hamilton continued on to say that what was printed was only libel if it was false, which it was not. All that was printed was in fact true. All charges were eventually dropped, and a new precedent was set for future juries.

3) What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
All U.S juries have the right, duty, and power to nullify bad laws that may come into question during a trial such as the Zenger trial. To do so they must issue a not-guilty verdict with respect to the charges. The trial set a precedent for the government to come in the United States.

4) What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
In 1787 when Congress was panning on making amendments to the Constitution, they immediately though of the Zenger trial and what it meant to the people. Congress decided that the first amendment must be one that protects the freedom of speech, assembly, warship, and freedom of the press for John Peter Zenger. Also, the Zanger New Service began in 1982 spreading the word about current news and information. The ZNS has since then expanded its news coverage to people in 35 foreign countries.