The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-28
COL. BLAIR DEFENDING HIMSELF.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ST. LOUIS REPUBLICAN,.
My conduct has never BEEN very satisfactory % you,
aud since the beginning Of this rebellion have observed
that my action has been especially disleasng 70 you
na surprised, there ore, that you should have COM
mented harshy upon the subject Of my arrest and put
un ayorabIe construction upon my conduct. There is
thing, however, which does surprise and TO which
desire to direct pubic attention, If ! obtain the
privilege OF doing So through your columns The Missouri
Democrat contains the following paragraph in its article
on the sub Get OF my arrest, published on MonIey-
"ihc examinatsn which will be- Of u private charac-
ter viii not take place, understand for some days"
This ciers presume, to the examination oi the charges
made aaa IT me- TINS statement aust have been made
by Authority Of those who have the right to fix the
aud time OF my tra! did not and DO not object to
either the Of tri titc making the oxaluna
ton which may TIC txc by those having competent au
thority; bat object b. being tried in tho wspapers,
when it is nooriscs en- ntke 70 defence II the
press Of the city dispoed 10 Plbsh H. because the
prevalence Of MAJ tia Ian WOad hot allow he publicly to
make good the c,rges alleged BY the beas9csa, have
been made by b. The government %.ih regard 10 the
affairs Of this DEL 2rtment.
Wle therefore silence IN this respect Is imposed upon
me by the most rigid rUic q. military aw and my Eek
aHipathn is 60 be Of private Character and the de-
e. If have any VII ch sasi then make, vii! only
BE- permitted 80 reach tbs public through official channels,
il ngenerous say the least that statements such
you have made in your paper Of to-day Should 10 the
public. il you refuse TO correct the 10 which you
have given currency your conduct viii deserve much
worse Interpretation. You say
awe understand that the differences lrst arose In
Blars attempts control contracts and appointments,
claiming that he bad authority from Washington TO keep
supervisory eye affairs here, and regulate mat
tes and things generally Colonel Blair also desired to
be Major General Of the state forces and pressed General
Fremont for his recommendation 10 Governor Gamble for
that Office. Not succeeding well he wished in mani
pnlang General Fremont the Colonel undertook to break
him by writing letters to Washington City, stated by
the Democrat"
Irepiy that never asked from General Fremont per-
sonal favor that he did not grant immediately. never
askc appointment for any from him that be did
not give it. recommended him to give contract
TO any peson that be did not his influence TO obtain
it. had word OF personal alteration with him.
and finally, have done said any thing which
could authorize any think that the differences be-
tween have tho slightest tnge Of personality about
them.
am willing to await the pleasure Of those having COM
petent authority disclose the actual ground of d
renee and abide the result Of my trial and the public
judgment. take IL for granted that you did not derive
information of the above quoted from the cnIy
person who, with the exception Of myself could know alb
soutey whether they were true or false, and therefore
they simply your suraises those of other
peisdncquay uniformed and equally prejadieed Re-
spcctfuiy, FRANK 2. BLAIR, JR.,
Colonel First regiment Missouri L. A.
c.r IaIIc M