Some weeks previous to de Guerchy’s arrival, D’Eon wrote to apprise him that he might rely upon exemption from duty in accordance with the privileges of an ambassador, on all such goods as he might require to pass into the country, provided it was indisputably shown that they were for his sole use and benefit. The abuse of this privilege upon more occasions than one, after his arrival in England, called forth a strong remonstrance from the department concerned, to which de Guerchy replied by the assertion of privilege; the matter was consequently referred to the Lords of the Treasury, who terminated the discussion by informing Lord Halifax that their lordships would not enter into the consideration of all that had passed on the subject since his Excellency’s arrival, although, if it were necessary, they could produce instances which would be sufficient to convince his lordship that their officers were not to be charged with any unusual strictness in their treatment of his Excellency; neither would they enforce the necessity of the exact observance of the laws, or the propriety of the orders lately given for the strict execution of them, showing the many and notorious abuses which had been committed under pretence of the privilege; for they were only desirous to prevent the evil for the future, and not to complain of what was past.[188] [Sidenote: FRENCH AMBASSADOR’S ABUSE OF PRIVILEGE.] Upon another occasion, three constables were sent to the French Embassy to arrest the ambassador’s ‘gentleman of the horse,’ for having threatened the life of a woman and to set her house on fire, when the ambassador caused the gate to be closed, his servants assaulted the constables and confined them, and he himself tore up the warrant they presented. This outrage was followed up by de Guerchy’s complaint of the violation of the privileges of an ambassador, in the attempt to arrest his _écuyer_ within the court-yard of his Excellency’s house. The law officers of the Crown having been consulted, the Foreign Secretary informed the King’s ambassador at the French Court that— ‘the Attorney-General was doubtful whether the ambassador’s privileges had been violated, but it was clear that his Excellency’s conduct in the transaction had been highly improper and illegal.’[189] It was George III.’s birthday (June 4), and de Guerchy being recognised in the streets was insulted, and the windows of the Embassy were broken. ‘M. de Guerchy maintains that it is I who excited the people, because they rather like me, and publicly drink my health and that of Wilkes. Nothing is more false.’[190] Writing to Tercier upon these events, D’Eon says:—