‘I requested with the greatest earnestness the people of England, who have always shown me the greatest respect, not to renew any policies respecting my sex; I declared that I would not agree to a judicial manifestation of it; requested there should be no fresh policies entered into, and that the old ones should be annulled, and that if this was not agreed to, I should be obliged to quit a place which I regard as my second country. The _auri sacra fames_ which possesses my enemies has unhappily prevailed. They have not only renewed the ancient policies, but have obtained a judgment in the Court of King’s Bench, July 1, to determine my sex. In consequence, I with regret keep my promise. I quit with grief my dear England, where I thought to have found repose and liberty, to return to my native country.... If those interested in the policies would take my advice, it should be to pay nothing; because the judgment in the King’s Bench was made without my participation, and against my consent, which I opposed at the time of the sitting of the Court, desiring it to be delayed till my master should permit me again to return to England.... I would rather perish than rise triumphant by the weakness of that sex which I am accused to be of.... I here absolutely declare, and probably for the last time, that if any person, whether in France or England, can prove before any tribunal that I have been interested to the value of one shilling, in any policies, I will agree to distribute all I am possessed of to any public charity the said tribunal shall name. THE CHEVALIER D’EON.’ ‘London, August 10, 1777.’ [Sidenote: AGAIN ORDERED TO RESUME FEMALE ATTIRE.] D’Eon’s residence in England had extended over fifteen years, and it was with no inconsiderable feelings of emotion that he again touched his native soil. Hurrying to Versailles, he presented himself, equipped as a dragoon, before the Count de Vergennes, who received him affably and with distinction, but at once enjoined him to execute the terms of his Covenant, and not appear unless in female attire. D’Eon demurred, pleading, first one thing, then another, but the minister was obdurate, and soon the Chevalière was favoured with the following order:— IN THE KING’S NAME. ‘Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-André-Timothée D’Eon de Beaumont is hereby commanded to lay aside the uniform of a dragoon, which he has been in the habit of wearing, and resume the garments of her sex, and is forbidden to appear in any part of the kingdom in any other garments than those suitable to females. ‘LOUIS. ‘GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.’ ‘Done at Versailles, August 19, 1777.’