‘I have only had time to travel over the North of England, and a part of Scotland. Two important reasons prevented me from going to Ireland as I had intended. 1. My funds were insufficient. 2. Because, whilst on my travels, I noticed in the English papers that the public, ever jealous of its liberties, was much alarmed, and that my own friends were greatly concerned at my supposed abduction, and that all the doors of the house I occupy had been sealed. I returned immediately to reassure the public and my friends, as well as to attend to my private affairs. With regard to the cypher and King’s papers, I had, as you are aware, insured their safety before I went away, and they would not have been found, at least not unless the house was razed to the ground. ‘By last Tuesday’s post I sent to you the “Public Advertiser,” which contains the declaration I made, under oath, before the Lord Mayor, that I am not interested to the value of one shilling, directly or indirectly, in the policies of insurance that have been effected on my person. It is not my fault if the rage for betting, on all matters, is a national disorder amongst Englishmen, who will frequently risk even more than the fortune they possess on a single horse-race. I do not care for all their policies of insurance, their articles, newspapers, prints, or themselves either, and they are aware of it. I have given proof, and will again do so to their hearts’ content, that I am not only a man, but a captain of dragoons with sword in hand. It is not my fault if the Court of Russia, and notably, the Princess Dashkoff, has assured the English Court that I am a female. It is not my fault if the Duke de Praslin has caused secret, and almost public, inquiry to be pursued in France to confirm this fact, whilst his friend de Guerchy sneakingly spread the report at this Court that I am a hermaphrodite! Anyhow, it is not my fault if I exist such as nature formed me; perfectly or imperfectly formed, I have ever, heart and soul, faithfully served the King in politics as in war. I am in a condition to serve him better than ever, and shall be at all times ready to fly, at his bidding, whithersoever he may send me.’[260] [Sidenote: THE KING OF POLAND TO THE RESCUE.]