Document: An oration on the Freedom of the Press delivered at the Court House in Danbury, Conn.. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 1832.

Document containing a speech given by P.T. Barnum entitled, An oration on the Freedom of the Press delivered at the Courthouse in Danbury, Conn., Wednesday, Dec. 5, 1832 . This speech was given shortly after Barnum was released from his stay in the Danbury Jail. He had been imprisoned for two months after losing a case of libel in regards to information he printed in his newspaper, the Herald of Freedom. In the speech, Barnum rallies and emphasizes the importance of a free press. His beliefs as a Universalist, which he frequently expressed in the Herald of Freedom, are also evident. The Herald of Freedom was first issued on October 19, 1831, after a Danbury weekly paper refused to publish Barnum's opinions. Editing the paper, Barnum gave it a liberal voice and attracted a liberal readership. The paper continued under Barnum's leadership until November 5, 1834 when Barnum's brother-in-law John W. Amerman took over. Amerman sold the paper to George Taylor in 1835. Barnum himself oversaw the publication of 160 issues of the paper. Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum (July 5, 1810-April 7, 1891) is primarily associated with the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. However, Barnum only began to focus on the circus in 1871. Prior to that he managed the American Museum in New York City from 1842-1868, was an elected official, mayor of Bridgeport, philanthropist, promoter, newspaper editor, and investor, among many, many other things. He promoted an image of himself along with his various ventures, which changed throughout the years, and was a celebrity in his own right.