Talk:John Peter Zenger

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[edit] Issue raised by conservative website

This site says the following:

The Wikipedia entry for John Peter Zenger links to an incorrect Wikipedia definition of "Philadelphia lawyer", which Merriam-Webster defines as a lawyer knowledgeable in "even the most minute aspects of the law." Wikipedia claims the term comes from the Zenger trial, but Merriam-Webster puts the first use of that term at over 50 years later. Wikipedia is simply unreliable.

Any truth to this assertion? - Ta bu shi da yu 08:56, 27 February 2007 (UTC)

This article claims "His trial may have resulted in the addition of the expression "Philadelphia lawyer" to the language[3]." The citation is to this Merriam-Webster page, which says "lexicographers agree that Andrew Hamilton was indeed the reason Philadelphia lawyer developed its originally positive sense. We can pin the later, more negative connotation on the mixed feelings associated, at least in this country, with the law profession." That particular Merriam-Webster page doesn't state the time the phrase developed, but does definitely say that this case was the reason the phrase developed. I'd say that this article is fine, but the Wiktionary page could be improved using this source. And probably the Conservapedia entry could be improved also. GRBerry 13:34, 27 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Removal of NY state case law category

I've removed the category Category: New York state case law for the following reason: Even though it was influential in the development of US free speech law, but at the time it was decided, it was English case law from New York colony. Wl219 04:25, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

I didn't put that in originally, but please see this (the last reference to the article):

http://emoglen.law.columbia.edu/publications/zenger.html

I think Moglen's main point is that the case is also significant in New York law history independent of the fact that at the time the US didn't exist. In journalism classes students are (were?) taught about the Zenger case as a precedent in the US (or the New World, or whatever), which would be subject to your objection, too. Yet it is (was) done. --Minasbeede 21:22, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] US printer?

the wikipedia article states Zenger was a German born US printer, etc. How can this be if he died in 1746 and the United States was not formed until 1789? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 12.10.232.186 (talk) 04:48, 28 April 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Missing Text?

It seems to me that quite a bit of text is missing from this article. The second paragraph of the "Overview" section mentions an apology (?) and Zenger being jailed, but doesn't give any information about his arrest, what he was apologizing for, etc. I've gone through the article's history and can't seem to figure out what was deleted or why. 161.11.130.249 16:14, 14 September 2007 (UTC)