John Peter Zenger trial collection

Description data TOP

unitid

{"value"=>"37", "type"=>"local_mss"}

{"value"=>"b12077725", "type"=>"local_b"}

{"value"=>"33433087852483", "type"=>"local_barcode"}

{"value"=>"MssCol 37", "type"=>"local_call"}

unitdate

{"value"=>"1733-1734", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1733/1734"}

unittitle

{"value"=>"John Peter Zenger trial collection"}

physdesc

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>".25 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 box", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}

repository

{"id"=>"MSS", "value"=>"Manuscripts and Archives Division"}

abstract

{"value"=>"James Alexander (1691-1756) was counsel for John Peter Zenger during his trial for libel, 1734-1735, in Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New York. The collection consists of papers relating to the trial of John Peter Zenger, written or collected by Alexander. Papers contain letters, notes, articles, legal documents, drafts written by William Smith, Zenger's second counsel, and related papers."}

prefercite

{"value"=>"<p>John Peter Zenger trial collection, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library</p>"}

origination

{"value"=>"Alexander, James, 1691-1756", "type"=>"persname", "role"=>"creator"}

bioghist

{"value"=>"<p>James Alexander (1691-1756) was counsel for John Peter Zenger during his trial for libel, 1734-1735, in Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New York. A descendant of the Earl of Stirling, Alexander emigrated from Scotland to America after the unsuccessful Rebellion of 1715. Upon his arrival in New Jersey he was appointed surveyor general for the province; subsequently he studied law and was appointed attorney general in 1723. He served as a member of the Council of New York as well as the Council of New Jersey.</p> <p>In 1732 Alexander began his career in opposition politics when he and William Smith defended Rip Van Dam against the salary claims of William Cosby, the provincial governor of New York. At Cosby's prompting, Alexander was removed from the Council of New York. On February 1, 1734, a death threat was lodged against Alexander and his family in a letter declared to be in the hand of Francis Harison, a close associate of Cosby's. Investigation of the case was hampered by the partisan council, and a grand jury declined to indict.</p> <p>Alexander and Smith fought Cosby most vigorously through anonymous and pseudonymous articles and letters-to-the-editor in John Peter Zenger's <span class=\"title\">New-York Weekly Journal</span>. As printer and publisher, Zenger was eventually charged with libel and imprisoned in November 1734. Alexander and Smith served as attorneys and obtained a writ of habeas corpus. The grand jury refused to indict, buth the attorney general proceeded by information. Alexander and Smith objected and were disbarred in 1735. Andrew Hamilton concluded Zenger's defense, obtaining an acquittal. After Cosby's death in 1736, Alexander and Smith were reinstated as members of the bar and Alexander was recalled to the Council of New York.</p>"}

scopecontent

{"value"=>"<p>The John Peter Zenger trial collection includes letters, affidavits, and other documents, many relating to the trial. The papers, arranged chronologically, are mostly in the hand of James Alexander. Many of these are articles and letters addressed to Zenger for publication in <span class=\"title\">New-York Weekly Journal</span> and reveal Alexander's responsibility for the intellectual content of the paper. There is a statement of Zenger's estate, with his signature, as well as documents pertaining to his trial. There are also significant documents related to the death threat received by Alexander. A 1722 holograph manuscript of Francis Harison is believed to have been used by the opposition party for comparison with the death threat letter.</p>"}

acqinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Purchased from George Miller, 1940</p>"}

processinfo

{"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"<p>Compiled by <span class=\"name\">Claudia Funke</span>, <span class=\"date\">1988</span></p>"}

date_start

1733

keydate

1733

date_end

1734

date_inclusive_start

1733

date_inclusive_end

1734

extent_statement

.25 linear feet (1 box)

Update Collection TOP

Update from EAD XML File

Child components TOP

No child components.