Zenger's Apology -- Liberty of the Press. The New-York Weekly Journal. New York: John Peter Zenger, November 25, 1734. Numb. 50. Bifolium (300 x 193 mm). 4 pp. Almost entirely separated along fold, small tape hinges to fold, approx. 65 mm closed tear to inside margin of first leaf beginning at bottom edge. A rare example of an early test of freedom of the press in the colonies. John Peter Singer began publishing The New-York Weekly Journal in 1733 and was staunchly opposed to British colonial governor of New York, William Cosby. In response to the critical articles, Cosby charged Zenger with libel and demanded that issues 2, 3, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, and 54 of the journal be burned. Zenger spent 8 months in prison before being tried, and the trial was closely followed by colonists supporting Zenger's right to freedom of the press. On August 5, 1735, the jury returned a not guilty verdict after just 10 minutes of deliberation. In this issue, following his arrest, Zenger offers a tongue-in-cheek apology for not having published an issue the previous week. He also reprints the charges of libel against him. His apology reads: As you last week were disappointed of my Journall, I think it Incumbent upon me, to publish my Apoligy which is this. On the Lords Day, the Seventeenth of this Instant, I was Arrested, taken and Imprisoned in the common Goal of this City, by Virtue of a Warrant from the Governour, and the Honorable Franciss Harrison, Esq; and others in Councill of which (God willing) you'll have a Copy, whereupon I was put under such Restraint that I had not the Liberty of Pen, Ink, or Paper, or to see, or speak with People, till upon my Complaint to the Honourable Chief Justice, at my appearing before him upon my Habius Corpus on the Wednesday following. Who discountenanced that Proceeding, and therefore I have had since that Time, the Liberty of Speaking through the Hole of the Door, to my Wife and Servants by which I doubt not yo'l think me sufficiently Excused for not sending my last weeks Journall, and I hope for the future by the Liberty of Speaking to my Servants thro' the Hole of the Door of the Prison, to entertain you with my weekly Journal as formerly. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing