The New York Weekly Journal

The New York Weekly Journal was a weekly journal, printed by John Peter Zenger, from November 5, 1733 to March 18, 1751. It was the second journal in New York City and the only one that criticized New York Royal governor William Cosby, for which reason the journal was burned in its first year and John Zenger was put in prison. Zenger was released without charges, this being one of the earliest cases where a fight for the freedom of press led to a victory in America.

In 1733 the only newspaper in New York was The New York Gazette, and its printer, William Bradford, was a supporter of then New York Governor William Cosby. The Popular Party wanted to attack Governor Cosby, and the only other printer in New York was John Peter Zenger, who had come from Germany to America in 1697, went to New York in 1711, and worked with Bradford for eight years prior he started his own print business on Smith Street.

It first publications started on November 5, 1733. It has contributions made anonymously by James Alexander, William Smith, and Lewis Morris. The journal targeted the newly royal governor of New York, William Cosby, and his conduct. The journal was freely published for two months.

On January 15, 1734, royal governor of New York William Cosby ordered public burning of the newspaper on Wall Street, close to City Hall, and also offered fifty pounds as reward for whom revealed the names of the Journal's authors.

On November 17 John Peter Zenger was arrested under a warrant of the Council for printing seditious libels in his Journal. Zenger was placed in the City Jail then located in the attic of New York City Hall.

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