Description:

Zenger Newspaper Issued Just Weeks After Freedom Of Speech Acquittal, Contains Mass Shooter at Sea and an Ad for a Runaway “indented Servant and No Slave” 

4pp of a bifolium, measuring 7.25" x 12.25", New York, dated October 6, 1735. An issue of "The New-York Weekly Journal", published just one month after Zenger won his freedom of the press case against Governor Cosby. Contains Foreign Affairs news of a murdered black sailor during a mass shooting at sea, and an advertisement for a runaway indentured black man. With flattened folds, light toning, and a few isolated spots of discoloration. Some expert restoration including minor loss and separations. There are a few stray ink marks, but otherwise superb appearance. Pre-1768 newspapers are exceedingly rare.

Excerpts:

"Philadelphia, October 2. The following surprizing [sic] Account comes from Capt. Dorrel, who arriv'd here on Saturday last from Bristol. 'On the 29th of July I set sail from Bristol, with 15 Persons on board besides myself, viz. the Mate and a Boy, 4 Sailors of whom 2 were Negroes, one Passenger, and 8 Servants: And on the 30th of Aug. last…we were alarmed by the firing of a Musket from the Head of the Bessel, which was succeeded with the lamentable groans of the of the Blacks, crying out that he was Murder'd, who had received the shot thro' his Body as he was going forward, just as he had warn'd the firstmorning Watch to turn out, Starting out of my Sleep, and as I was going out of the Round House to ask what was the Matter, I was answered only with another Shot. I then concluded (as it was natural) that the Servants had risen and got Possession of the small Arms; during this Consternation, the Mate received a Ball thro' the Knee, which did not hinder him going into the Steerage to see how matters stood there, but not returning immediately, I concluded he was Murder'd; and seeing it equal dangerous to remain in the Round House, the continual Fire being directed there, I determin'd to venture down, hoping the Combination was not general, and that I might form a Party below. I was agreeably surpriz'd upon calling every Body by his Name, to find there was only one Servant missing; and upon further enquiry it appear'd he had got the Boatswains Keys out of his Pocket while he lay asleep and taken the Ammunition out of his Chest, and 16 new Musquets [sic] that lay in the Hold; with these he fortified himself behind the Windlass…I went upon Deck being follow'd by both Servants and Sailors when the Rogue let fly a brace of Balls amongst us, but hit none, and attempting to discharge another, which was his last Shot, be only burnt Priming' then all of us rushing furiously towards him, he was so terrified that he leaped into the Sea. 'Tis to be regretted he was not taken alive, not only to have been made a public Example, but to know the Motives and Views for so horrid an Enterprize…such an Infernal cast of Mine, as cannot be considered without the utmost horror and indignation."

"ADVERTISEMENT. Run away from Arent Bradt of Schenectady, in the County of Albany, on Sunday the 28th of September last, a Negro Man, named William Smith, he is an indented Servant and no Slave…speaks English, High and Low Dutch, understands all Sorts of Husbandry Work and something of the Trade of a Black-Smith…"

In November 1732, former printing apprentice John Peter Zenger (1697-1746) began publishing the "New-York Weekly Journal", which almost immediately became a popular media for opposition to New York Royal Governor William Cosby. The first issue of Zenger's New-York Weekly Journal was printed on November 5, 1733. Just two months later, in January 1734, Zenger accused Governor Cosby of threatening the “liberties and properties” of the people. Zenger referenced political theorists like John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon in his paper, thus popularizing ideas that would later influence the Founding Fathers. On October 22, 1734, Governor Cosby ordered that issues 7, 47, 48, and 49 of the New-York Weekly Journal be burned. Two weeks later, with opposition still brewing, Cosby ordered that Zenger be arrested for publishing “false, scandalous, malicious, and seditious libels.”

During Zenger’s 8-month confinement in New York City’s Old Prison, his wife Anna continued to keep publishing the New-York Weekly Journal, missing just one issue. Zenger’s defense attorney, Andrew Hamilton (1676-1741) of Philadelphia, was widely considered the best lawyer in the colonies. While Hamilton brilliantly conceded that Zenger had published the statements in question, he also argued that Zenger’s published statements were seditious only if they were false. Truth as a defense would become an important precedent for the legal history of free speech in America. Ultimately, twelve New York City jurors returned a verdict of not guilty on August 5, 1735, and Zenger’s case became a judicial landmark affirming freedom of the press.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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