New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-27
TIE CASE OF GEN. MoKINsTRY-THE
HON. E. WASHBURNE.

HON. E. WASHBURNE.
10 he Editor Of The n. y Tribune.
SIR: In ,he Congressional proceedings of the
House on TIE I'D inst, es published in the New
York papers Of Friday last, Mr.. Wasaburne OF
Illinois is reported having replied to my letter,
published by you the 22d inst. The report says
that Mr.. Wasbburne denounced the rEaicofion
as false 10 eli respects, jar as referred 70 ne
Con.miAee."
1t rs to be hoped that Mr.. Washburne was misnn-
deistood by the reporter for each Of my allegations
respecting the EVAN Wyck investigating Commit
tee, contained in nay communication of the 22d
was true notwithstanding tlsIeported denial.
The main facts which asserted were, l. That
tho Investigating Committees examination into the
QuArtermasters Department Of the West was con-
Quoted ex parte, with 10 notice thereof given by the
Committee to Gen. McKinstry. g. That some
DAYS after the Committee had commenced taking its
ex parte testimony, and as soon as Mr.. Clements
the chief clerk Of Gen. MeKiDstry, was informed Of
that fact-the General being then in the field with
The army-Mr. C. addressed the Committee by let
ter asking in behalf Of Lis chief and friend 10 be
permitted to peruse such testimony as the Committee
bad taken or should take, in regard to the Quarter
Inas.ers Department, with the privilege of making
lnitiee should seem to need explanation, and thai,
10 that request no reply was made g. That yeceiy-
iug 10 reply he wrote tie Committee second letter
repeating his request. A. That no notice whatever
was taken OF that second letter by the Committee s.
Tat Dir. Clements then addressed TO the Committee
q third letter, again repeating that same request,
viz: asking to be permitted to and read the tee
tincny, and also that the Committee would apprse
him Of any hing which in their opinion needed ex.
PLANTATION, and would allow him 10 give such ex.
PLANTATION. g. That in this third letter Mr. Clements
called The attention Of the Committee to certain
specified acts Of alleged fraud which, under the tes.
fimony taken by the Committee were charged upon
Con- MeKiastry, and offered to produce the testimony
6ej6re that COMMITTEE 10 prore that such ctorge:
soere funded IN error, if the Committee would hear
Shat testimony and that 10 this third letter no reply
was given, and that the Committee thus refused 10
hear testimony in behalf OF Gen. Mokinstry.
To this statement Of facts, Mr.. Washbane, if cor
rectly reported replies that " the communication
was false in all respects far it referred to the
Committee :" and then " he read" 50 the reporter
states, " from the published Journal of the Commit
Gee, the letter of the Committee to Mr Clements the
ele K Of the Quartermaster, calling upon him maIk
showed that Mr.. Clements was before the Committee
ami testified, TO the amount of more than thirty pages
az published in the Report. Thatth Committee gave
him the widest latitude to put in everything in his
testimony that could explain McKnstrys acts, all Of
which is Published in the testimony. That another
clerk in the Quartermasteis Department was called
before the Committee, whose testimony covered
twenty-five pages.'
Now, did the Committee give Mr.. Clements permits
zion, as requested by bin, 10 see and examine the
testimony which they had taken or should take, 70
that knowing what was charged, be might, if neces-
s,Ty, explain those charges before the Committee
Did the Committee comply with his request, and
notify him Of any matters which seemed TO them to
require explanation Did they hear or refuse to |
near evidence rendered by Ar. Clements TO disprovc
er ain specific charges Of fraud, which Testimony Mr.
I!ements in writing offered 70 produce, if the Com
niitee would allow it Let the facts determine
On the 18th day of October, Gen. McKinstry was
the head Of mis- division in tie field On that day,
IT. Clements addressed to the Committee tho sub
lined letter:
81. LOUIS No. Oct, H. 1851.
HIM. C. tAs VICE ChoirEan CoAgesstO1ai ia. outing
CO1aiiftcs, Banam's hofei 81 Lonia
SIR; Sn told fg the first this morning that your Com
tee sIo sitting and have been day past Bar
ms Hotel ~ secret tcs.icu, examining wiufsses aud tax
testimony relative 20 The con,racts order aGd eIpebd
zee Tor the public service by the QIatussters Depart
80 Tile psee his IL the FIRST time that l. who the
lei Cl1rt Of Gen hckinstIy late Chief QUartenassr Of
slAeni, have teen aware Of tie fact Gen. Nc. =,
sey hiseA ESo nor ~ he led with sbe amy, % fI u