City Hall Park Tree Planting Ceremony 1911

"On April 23 two oak trees, brought specially from Germany and donated by the City of Frankfort-on-the-Main, were planted in City Hall Park by the United German Societies, to commemorate the fame of John [Jacob] Leisler, a native German, who, because of his fight against the British government's attempts to suppress the freedom of the newspapers, was chosen by the people Governor of the Colony of New York in the revolt of 1689. He was afterward unjustly imprisoned, tried, and hanged for treason. He was the first in America to die in defense of the rights of free speech and freedom of the press, and was the forerunner of that noble band of patriots who later gave their lives in the great struggle of the Colonies for liberty. The trees were planted on the lawn, between the westerly wing of the City Hall and Broadway, with appropriate ceremonies, attended by the members of the various German societies, prominent City officials, and a large gathering of other interested spectators." - The City of New York Department of Parks, Annual report, 1911, p. 13.