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Tales from Early New York:

Peter Zenger Was a Man

A song by Chris Jennings about the landmark freedom of the press trial.

New York City, 1735

“Zenger’s acquittal was the world’s first great victory for freedom of the press” (Ellis, E.R., The Epic of New York, p.128).

“…men everywhere oppressed by British tyranny harkened to a new hope and took heart…. Once and for all, this trial destroyed the notion that government officials are immune from criticism. It created a climate of civil disobedience. It marked the beginning of a movement for independence” (Ellis, E.R., The Epic of New York, p.126).

“[You] have laid a noble foundation for securing to ourselves, our posterity, and our neighbors, that to which nature and the laws of our country have given us a right – the liberty both of exposing and opposing arbitrary power – … by speaking and writing truth!” (Andrew Hamilton, 1735, quoted in The Epic of New York, p.127)

Coming June, 2009!