Page:History of American Journalism.djvu/66

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
40
HISTORY OF AMERICAN JOURNALISM

contents of The Journal was contributed matter, as may be learned by any one who cares to turn to the files of the early numbers. Zenger's contributions are easily discovered by their poor spelling and by their grammatical errors. Nevertheless, The Journal, which was folio in size, was much better printed than Bradford's Gazette, and so popular were some of the articles in the early issues that more than one edition had to be run off. Zenger told of the success of his venture in the twelfth issue which appeared on January 21, 1734 (3),. in which he said:—

To my Subscribers and Wellwishers;
Now when Forreign News is not to be had and all other News Writers in these countries are at a Loss how to continue their Papers, and what to fill them up with; I must acknowledge my Obligation to you to be such, that you do so plentifully supply me, that tho' for some Weeks past I have used my smallest Letter, and to put as much into a Paper as was in my Power, yet I have now Supplies sufficient to fill above seven weekly Papers more. This I mention that my Correspondents whose Works have not presently a Place in my Journal may know the cause of it and excuse it for a Time, assuring them that Justice shall be done to their Labours as soon as I possibly can, at least so much of them as I am advised I dare safely print and in order to do Justice to every one, I have thought of publishing a Thursdays Journal weekly for the Next Quarter, if my Subscribers for this Mondays Journal, will on their first Quarters Payment signify their desire of it either by Letter or Subscription for that purpose on the like Terms as this Paper, which I beg they'll consider of and signify their Inclinations, and if a sufficient Number to bear the charge approve of it, it shall (God willing) be done,

I am
Your obliged humble Servant
J. Peter Zenger.

An interesting comparison of The Gazette and The Journal was made by a correspondent who, writing under the nom-de-plume "Upon," gave the following reasons for his selection: "Zenger rides too fast and sticks in the spur when he ought to make use of the reins."


ZENGER'S TRIAL

An editor with such characteristics was bound to get into trouble with the authorities in colonial days. In his second num-