D’Eon challenges the French ambassador—Institutes legal proceedings against him—Strong appeal to the Count de Broglio and indifference of the latter—De Guerchy _v._ De Vergy—De Vergy’s affidavits—Secret correspondence in danger—Undignified conduct of Louis XV., who ‘feels he is in a mess’—True bill against the French ambassador for inciting to murder—D’Eon’s disregard of his King’s intervention—De Guerchy applies for a _nolle prosequi_—Attorney-General refuses a certificate—Miscarriage of justice, and state of public feeling—Count de Broglio’s conciliatory proposals—A royal pension conferred on D’Eon—De Broglio’s advice—D’Eon surrenders his secret orders from the King. Provided with de Vergy’s statement in writing and bearing his signature, the first step taken by the Chevalier was to call upon de Guerchy to settle their differences by recourse to arms, as became two soldiers. The latter objected to draw swords with a fencing-master. The Chevalier observed he was right, and proposed, to ensure perfect equality, that the ambassador should choose his own fire-arms and they should fight on horse-back, if he objected to do so on foot; and further intimated to him, through his seconds, that if he promised to meet him on the ground with a good grace, he gave his word of honour, privately, that he should wound him only; whereas de Guerchy would be at liberty to do his worst. The count’s reply to this was that D’Eon must be a fool to suppose a general would agree to fight a simple captain of dragoons, which persuaded the Chevalier that it would be as impossible for such a man to perform an act of courage and of justice, as it is to extract oil from stones. De Guerchy could not be prevailed upon to fight! Then, ‘out of consideration for the Court of France and for the count’s family, D’Eon was careful to lay at the feet of his august master his private wrongs on the subject of poisoning, assassination, kidnapping, and other not generally known dark designs against his honour, his life, his person, and his papers. This he did before appealing to the tribunals of England for that liberty and the safety of his person and papers which the law could ensure to him.’ It does not appear that Louis XV. took any notice of these representations, and D’Eon determined on having de Guerchy prosecuted for a craven-hearted criminal, and he took proceedings accordingly. [Sidenote: PROSECUTION OF THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR.] A copy of de Vergy’s deposition was sent to the Duke de Choiseul, and another to the Count de Broglio under cover of one of the most pitiful of appeals. ‘London, November 2, 1764. ‘Sir,—I have the honour to enclose for your sole information, ‘The[205] horrible plot is at last disclosed. I can now say to M. de Guerchy what the Prince de copy of my last letter to the Duke de Choiseul, and of that