New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-22

testimony or necessary explanations and asking IN
asmuch. as this examination was ex-parte, that ne
10 the Chief Clerk and friend Of Gen. Mcklnstry
might he nermitted to see and read the testimony th'
Committee had taken or should take, in order tina
any EXPLANATIONS might be rendered, if any seemed
10 be required, saying that bis duty to Gen. NC
Kin.try, who was absent with the army IN the heid
and who had had notice Of this examination
compelled him to make this application.
To this request the Committee made no reply.
After the lapse of three OF four days Mr.. Clement'
wrote The Committee second letter, calling their at
tention 70 the fact that the request contained IN hi
first had not been noticed, and again asking, II
behalf Of Gen. McKinstry, the privilege either Of
being allowed to see the testimony or that be should
he at least apprised Of anything which to the Com
mittee might seem to require explanation with oppor
tunity to render it. No reply was made to that
second letter.
Mr.. Clements then addressed third letter to that
Committee stating that no reply had been gwen 70
his two former that their In
vestgation was being pursued in part at least al Tue
suggestion Of enemies of Gen. McKnstry, who had
openly avowed the purpose of doing binirjury; that
the absence Of that officer in the field in the face OF the
enemy, rendered his personal attention to the MISTER
impossible; that some testimony which the COMMITTEE
had already taken had caused certain specific acts OF
fraud to be charged, as was well understood IN the
streets; and adding that, if they would hear It, he
would produce testimony before the COMMITTEE
to prove hat these charges were founded III error.
lie also asked to be permitted to give explanations
generally rs to any matters which might appear to
the Committee to need explanation on the part OF the
late OuaItermaster. Mr.. CIelnents insisted in this
letter that the giving Of such explanation on behalf
of his friend and chief then absent and unable to
protect himself, was right to which Gen. Mckln-
stry was entitled-not favor to be granted by tue
Committee. lie also asked that all three Of his let
ters might be placed upon the record Of the proceed
in;s Of the Committee.
To this letter no reply was given, nor was any
testimony on Gen. McKinstry's part allowed to be
taken before the Committee.
The Committee having taken such testimony AZ
they chose next went before the L. s. District Court,
then sitting at St. Louis and upon representation
Of tue discovery by them of gross frauds in tie
Department Of the Wes., retioned the Court TO
call special Grand Jury for the indictment OF Gen..
McKinstry and others, engaged in such alleged
frauds. This was an ex-pare proceeding al.o.
The Court granted the petition, aud not only
called special Grand Jury, but appointed special
Dstrct-Attorney to attend and prosecute before it,
The Grand Jury met-had the benefit TO com.
mence with of all the testimony taken before the
Committee--spent nearly an entire month in its
esigations-e1smining, by numerous witnesses,
into every alleged fraud, and adjourned, Ignoring
IL d II H.
kiHaTy.
Upon and. after this determination of the Grand
Jury, this Investigating Congressional Committee,
without notice, forwarded their testimony, or copy
Of IT, TO Washington, and hereupOn, and on that tes
timony, showing nothing not passed on by the Grand
Jury, an order for the arrest Of Gen. Mckinstry,
who was then 1T the head of bis division of the army
near Springfield, was issued and he was ordered
into close confinement in tie Arsenal ut ST. Louis.
For time, be was not allowed TO see any one. lie
demanded to know the Of his arrest but no an
swer was given him. He demanded again and
again to be served with the charges sgsinst him.
il WAS not done; aud none have ever yet been
served unless within the last three days, although
the law required them TO be served within sixteen
DAYS after arrest, in default Of which it was bis night
to be discharged.
From tho 18th Of Nov. to the let Of JAN. inst,
Gen. MoKnstry was kept a close prisoner at the
arsenal. About the let inst. he was granted the
privilege Of the grounds of the arsenal.
IL should not be overlooked that nj the same time
that Gen. McKinstry was arrested, his books,
vouchers, and papers rs Quarter-Master Ithe same
offered to the inspection of the committed with his
chief clerk cashier, and assistant cerk, were all
seized-the books and papers held from him, and his
three clerks all confined in Jefferson Barracks, and
noa allowed to communicate with him, nor with each
other nor with the public.
When these seizures had all been made, and the
further writing up of his accounts thus rendered i'm
possible, An order from Washington was procured
requiring Gen. McKinstry TO send on his report for
the quarter ending in October forthwith.
Thus for nearly two months has this officer been
held Il prisoner without being furnished with
the charges against him, To his demand for them
and for Court, no response has been made.
Meantime, his nomination as Brigadier- General
remains suspended
If Gen. MeKinstry is believed guilty why has he
40 far been denied tue service of charges and trial
OH them
III is innocent, why is lie denied The right Of self
vindcation
Is% ,st Sir. your 0bedi Mt servant rsr,or
BULL RUN AND TIE CIVILIANS.
To TIE Editor Of Then y Trisunc
SlR:--It ia charged in several newspapers which
have met my eye, that little pamphlet which WAS