Litigating the Letter in Early Nineteenth-Century Newspapers

Abstract: “Litigating the Letter in Early Nineteenth-Century Newspapers” examines a unique case of letter writing and reading involving an epistle’s unauthorized publication in early nineteenth-century New York newspapers. The essay tracks reprintings and discussions of the letter across political newspapers, as well as trial proceedings related to the letter’s unauthorized publication. The work explores how the editorial and legal treatment of the letter illuminates the media-based contingencies that shape the social practice of genre, and it contributes to our understanding of how print genres such as newspapers help establish the generic meanings and capacities of traditionally manuscript forms such as letters.