Peter Zenger was the printer for the New York Weekly Journal. Governor Cosby was displeased with the accusations against him that were written in Zenger's Journal, and therefore, he wanted to remove Zenger so that the Journal could no longer be printed.
2. What was the controversy over his charges?
The controversy over Zenger's charges was between two types of people. On one side were the people who agreed with Governor Cosby, and they believed that Zenger was a "seditious libel" for writing negatively of Crosby's actions as Governor. On the other side were the people who agreed with Peter Zenger, and they believed that he should not punished for freely speaking his mind.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental traditions?
Peter Zenger's case allowed for important changes in government that ensure more equality, as well as a greater emphasis on human rights. Zenger's lawyer, John Chambers, challenged the lists that the jury would be chosen from, pointing out how biased the list was against Zenger's case. In doing this, he ensured that the jury would NOT be biased against Zenger. In addition to this, the importance of freedom of speech was brought to the attention of many people. As Alexander Hamilton pointed out, "It may in its consequence affect every free man that lives under a British government on the main of America." In other words, Zenger's case brought the importance of free speech (liberty) to America's attention, and suggested that silencing voices of the people only leads to destruction.
4.What is the lasting significance of his trial?
Although the Zenger case did not establish freedom of the press, it led people to realize the importance of certain freedoms and rights. These new ideas were even put into the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Sedition Act of 1798 decades later. In addition to this, juries began to be more unbiased, and the beginning of America's fundamental liberties was born.
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