‘Sire,—I have been expecting to execute the orders contained in the letter your Majesty did me the honour to address to me from Fontainebleau on November 4, before replying to it; but I have found it quite impracticable to do so, notwithstanding the various means employed. Your Majesty will have been informed, by my despatch, of the obstacles with which I meet in my endeavours to possess myself of D’Eon’s papers, for he persistently refuses to deliver them to me, in spite of the order he has received from M. de Praslin in the name of your Majesty.[150] This is one of the peculiarities of his insanity, which, however, does not affect him on all points. Your Majesty will also have been informed that the Court of London has authoritatively refused my request, in saying that it was against the laws of the country. At any rate, the King of England and his ministers are very anxious to get rid of this individual. I have not been able to seize upon his person, either by force or by stratagem, because he is no longer with me, nor has he been here since going to such extremes. I have communicated to Monin your Majesty’s commands as directed; he tells me he has good reason for believing, as the result of several questions he has put to D’Eon, that no papers concerning your Majesty, personally, have been brought to London, and he thinks it more probable that they have been left in Paris.... I deem it expedient to send this letter by M. le Bel. I am deeply grieved, Sire, at not being able to furnish your Majesty upon this occasion with proofs of the fervent zeal by which I will be actuated through life.’ ENCLOSURE. _Memorandum from M. Monin to the King._ [Sidenote: A FAITHFUL DEPOSITARY.]