D’Eon’s active mind, stimulated by success and hope, adapted itself ill,
it is true, to this temporary rest, and the flattering reception he
met with at Compiègne from the King and the court did not help him to
restrain his impatience. He called at the Hôtel du Temple to acquaint
Conti with the indifferent result of his mission, and to obtain the
Prince’s directions for pursuing the affair, in view of his departure.
The duchy of Courland and the command-in-chief of the Russian troops
were no longer in question. Louis XV. seemed already to have lost his
interest in that project, and, if he permitted d’Eon to see his former
secret minister, he deferred giving him instructions with regard to it;
and, through fear of embroiling the already critical situation at St.
Petersburg, soon definitely abandoned the interests of a cousin who had
ventured to incur the displeasure of Madame de Pompadour.
Meanwhile d’Eon’s departure had just been fixed for the end of September.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs had granted his earnest request;
Tercier, too, was anxious that he should rejoin his post; and the
Marquis de L’Hospital, who had been impressed by his shrewdness and the
experience of Russian affairs he had shown in their brief interview, was
also urging him to return to St. Petersburg.
In point of fact, the marquis found himself, almost from the moment of
his arrival, in an extremely false and annoying position. He had been
despatched to Russia for the purpose of cementing the friendly relations
between the two courts; but an apparently insignificant incident occurred
which hindered his mission, and threatened to compromise an alliance so
arduously obtained, and to wreck the new policy whereby past blunders
were to be remedied.
Elizabeth, who had never been deterred from making advances to
France—frequently complimentary, sometimes of pecuniary interest,
but in either case politely evaded—had just found an opportunity for
demonstrating her friendly feelings towards the King at the same time
as her sympathy for her new allies. Godmother of the child to which the
Grand Duchess was about to give birth, she desired that Louis XV. should
stand godfather. She devoted to this end all the energy and tenacity of
a woman intent upon the gratification of a whim, and when the council
suggested the choice of some other god-parent she replied: “No, no; I
will have none but Louis XV. and myself....” Upon this, Woronzow sounded
the Marquis de L’Hospital, who communicated the imperial proposal to the
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
With an obstinacy that would be unaccountable had he not given numerous
examples of similar scruples, the King refused to accept “engagements
which constrain him to see that, as far as possible, the child be
brought up in the Catholic faith.” Elizabeth was greatly vexed by this
repulse to her advances, and the motives were calculated to surprise
her on the part of a monarch whom she had good reasons for believing
to be even more sceptical than herself. She chose no other godfather,
and the child was baptised in her arms. The Marquis de L’Hospital,
fearing that the wound dealt her royal and feminine self-esteem would
be adroitly envenomed by the party hostile to France led by Bestuchef,
was impatiently awaiting d’Eon’s return, knowing his favour with the
Empress. The able secretary did not disappoint his chief’s expectations;
thoroughly acquainted with every intrigue of a palace in which he
had been plotting for two years, he worked to such good purpose that
Woronzow’s party got the upper hand again and soon became strong enough
to attack the omnipotent Chancellor. At the time of his passing through
the Russian lines, d’Eon had ascertained beyond doubt the existence of a
secret correspondence between Apraxin and the Chancellor. The marshal’s
inaction after the victory he had gained over the Prussian troops at Gros
Jägersdorf, and the defeat to which he had exposed himself at Narva, made
it manifest that instructions contrary to those he had received from
his sovereign had been transmitted to him surreptitiously. Apprised by
d’Eon, who had discovered the hiding-place of Bestuchef’s secret papers,
Woronzow did not hesitate to denounce to the Czarina the treason which
threatened completely to foil a campaign so successfully begun. Elizabeth
passed over definitely to the French party, and Bestuchef’s disgrace was
decreed a few days later.
When, in the course of an audience granted by the Empress to the Marquis
de L’Hospital, upon his recovery after a long illness, the ambassador
complained of ill usage on the part of the Chancellor which was quite
inconsistent with the sovereign’s kindness, “Count Bestuchef, who,
according to etiquette, was standing behind the Empress, on her right,
rushed forward like a madman, and went out, with his eyes glittering,
boding some catastrophe for the night.” He withdrew to his palace;
but the next day the Empress bade him attend her council. He pleaded
sickness, but was obliged to comply with a second order. The following
account of his arrest, too graphic not to have been taken from life, has
been handed down to us by La Messelière:—
Bestuchef, thinking that his intrigues had not yet been
unravelled, stepped into his coach with the pomp and
circumstance of his rank. On reaching the gates of the Palace
he was greatly astonished to see the guard of grenadiers, who
usually presented arms to him, surround the carriage by a
movement made from the right and left. A lieutenant-general of
the guard arrested him and got up beside him, to conduct him
back to his palace under escort. What was his surprise upon his
arrival at seeing it invested by four battalions, grenadiers
at the door of his study and seals affixed to all his papers.
As was customary, he was stripped to the skin, and all razors,
knives, scissors, pins, and needles were taken from him. His
cruel and immovable character made him smile sardonically,
notwithstanding all the evidence against him that was to be
found in his papers. Four grenadiers, with fixed bayonets, kept
a constant watch over the four corners of the bed, the curtains
of which remained open. All attempts had failed to discover a
note which the Chancellor had written in anticipation of his
arrest, and which he intended to send to the Grand Duchess. He
asked to see his physician, Boirave, who was summoned, and on
his approach to feel his pulse Bestuchef tried to slip this
note into his hand; but the doctor, not understanding what
was expected of him, let it fall to the ground. The major on
guard picked it up, and its contents were never known. The poor
doctor, thinking he was going to be involved, was so alarmed
that he died of the shock three days afterwards.
The Chancellor’s papers left no room for doubt as to his secret schemes.
Charged with high treason, it was owing to Elizabeth’s mercy that he was
not condemned to death, and was exiled to Siberia. Over eighteen hundred
persons were arrested; Apraxin had just committed suicide, and a movement
more favourable to French interests was in course of formation at the
instigation of Woronzow, who succeeded his rival in office.
[Illustration: LA CHEVALIERE D’EON
_From the Painting by Angelica Kaufmann after Latour_]
D’Eon, whose part in this affair was so active and successful, had,
according to La Messelière, unwittingly saved his own head. At all
events, he had a claim upon Woronzow’s gratitude, and fresh titles to
Elizabeth’s confidence; consequently the idea was mooted of attaching
d’Eon to the service of Russia, and a formal request to that effect was
made by the Marquis de L’Hospital to the Abbé de Bernis. The Minister
for Foreign Affairs and M. Tercier, being at one in this matter, were
not at all opposed to the scheme, suggested, no doubt, by the Czarina
herself, whereby an agent esteemed at the same time by the ministry
and the secret service should be established at her court. D’Eon,
although flattered by this proposal, which he never omitted to mention
in the rough drafts of his memoirs, did not think fit to accept it.
The favour which he enjoyed at Versailles, a career brilliantly opened
in diplomacy, the scope given to his aspirations in the army—all gave
promise of a sufficiently enviable future for him in his own country.
He knew, too, that foreigners seldom attained to high places in Russia.
Fortune was particularly fickle there, and her wheel was more often than
not broken on the road to Siberia. Lastly, his health was beginning to
suffer from the effects of the severe climate; and he did not hesitate
to refuse. “Had I a bastard brother,” he wrote to Tercier, “be assured I
should prevail upon him to accept such an offer, but for myself, who am
legitimate, I should be glad to die like a faithful dog in a ditch in my
native land.” In thanking the Abbé de Bernis, “he begged him to dismiss
him from his memory whenever there was a question of his destiny removing
him entirely from France.”
The Minister for Foreign Affairs did not insist, and even congratulated
him upon his attachment to his country. At that time, moreover, d’Eon
had other projects in view. He was tired of Russia, where he feared
his energies would be wasted for many years to come, while he aspired
to other spheres of action. He had followed from his distant post the
disastrous campaign of 1757, which ended in the crushing defeat of the
French army at Rosbach. Couriers arriving at the embassy in March
brought no better news. Hanover had just been evacuated, and the Comte
de Clermont’s troops, compelled to quit Westphalia, had to cross the
Rhine again. Everywhere hostilities were being resumed with fresh vigour.
D’Eon, who had been for some time impatiently waiting an opportunity for
making his first campaign, was longing to join his regiment before the
end of the war: “To do so after peace had been declared would,” he said,
“be too great a blow to his honour and his self-esteem.”
He determined, therefore, to apply (April 14) to the Minister for War
for a captain’s commission. Marshal de Belle-Isle did not refuse him
such rapid promotion. Less than three months afterwards d’Eon received a
commission as captain on half-pay; but he had again to exercise patience
and give up for the moment his warlike plans.
Circumstances prevented him from leaving St. Petersburg, the King’s
secret diplomacy necessitating his presence near the ambassador on whom
he was constantly to keep watch, and whose actions he had often to
prompt. The Duc de Choiseul, Bernis’ successor as Minister for Foreign
Affairs, had just informed the Marquis de L’Hospital of the treaty,
signed December 30, 1758, which drew Louis XV. and Maria Theresa more
closely together in a policy directed against Prussia. The ambassador’s
task was to obtain Russia’s adhesion to the agreement. He was, besides,
to give the Czarina to understand that her mediation between France and
England would be welcomed by the cabinet of Versailles, who in return
would show less devotion to the interests of Poland. As circumstances
might make the Grand Duchess’s support invaluable, they would be obliged
to pay her greater deference, whereat it was hoped the Empress would not
take umbrage.
Such double-dealing was not calculated to attract the ambassador, who,
disliking intrigues, would not have been successful and did not take
part in it. He had found favour with Elizabeth, and was particularly
anxious to retain her esteem. His witty conversation, his good manners,
and a liberality which Louis XV. called extravagant, had won for him the
sympathies of the court. If he possessed all the qualities of the man
of high rank whom his government had sought as a worthy representative
of France at a stately court, his age, his infirmities, and a want of
natural energy prevented him from reaping the advantages of an alliance
which he confined himself to maintaining and strengthening as best he
could. He deemed that to be the most important part of his mission,
and relied upon d’Eon, to whom he had become genuinely attached, for
the management of current affairs. So highly did he value his young
secretary’s attainments, and his experience of Russian people and
affairs, that he made it a practice never to come to a decision without
first consulting “his little d’Eon,” whose functions as secret agent were
thus singularly facilitated. Consequently the ambassador did not omit to
communicate to him the instructions he had just received from the Duc de
Choiseul.
D’Eon was already aware of their purport. But he had learned too, by a
letter from Tercier, that the King would by no means consent to Elizabeth
extending her dominions at the expense of Poland; such an aggrandisement
being calculated to give her a preponderance in Northern Europe which
the offer of mediation would strengthen. On those terms Louis XV.
preferred to continue the war with England. In short, he desired no
change in the attitude which had been adopted towards the Grand Duchess.
D’Eon, without revealing his source of inspiration, pointed out these
considerations to the Marquis de L’Hospital, who contented himself with
negotiating the ratification to the treaty, and awaited more urgent
orders before broaching the other points. These orders soon arrived.
Choiseul, put out of patience by an inaction so inconsistent with the
instructions transmitted, wrote a letter to the ambassador, the intimate
and affectionate character of which alone mitigated the asperity of the
language, and in which he gave him the option of obeying or of applying
for his recall.
D’Eon renewed his entreaties to the Marquis de L’Hospital, and did all
he could to dissuade him from launching out into intrigues which might
not meet with the King’s approval. So he managed to defer the project for
over a year, and the defeats inflicted upon Frederick by the Russians
made the minister abandon it of his own accord.
Unable to obtain what he desired from an ambassador whom his friendship
prevented him from reprimanding, Choiseul decided to appoint a colleague
to the marquis, with the title of minister plenipotentiary, and
despatched to St. Petersburg the Baron de Breteuil, a young man enabled
by his talents, his distinguished appearance, and his high rank to
ingratiate himself with the Grand Duchess and the young count. The King
approved this mission officially; but as it was prejudicial to the
interests of his personal policy he resolved to counteract its effects by
admitting the baron to the secret correspondence. Accordingly he signed a
long letter, indited by Tercier, instructing d’Eon to let the new envoy
know the King’s private designs.
D’Eon’s functions were thus about to become considerably restricted.
After intriguing during five years and acting as intermediary in the
secret correspondence between Louis XV. and Elizabeth, after working at
the negotiations of several treaties, he found his diplomatic career
hindered, and so he again entertained the idea of applying for active
service in the army. He had, moreover, kept up a friendly intercourse
with the superior officers of his regiment, having corresponded on
several occasions with his colonel, the Marquis de Caraman, and his
comrade, Captain de Chambry. He had even been considerate enough to look
for furs for the Duc de Chevreuse, colonel-general of dragoons, who had
acknowledged the delicate attention in a friendly note.
The historical studies to which he devoted the leisure left him by the
negotiations (the mere titles of which show clearly that he lacked the
sense of proportion in all he did) could not reconcile d’Eon to the kind
of life which he led in Russia. In the month of July, 1760, he lost all
patience, his health being seriously impaired, and he entreated the
Marquis de L’Hospital for permission to return to France:
Your Excellency is aware that for over eighteen months I have
been more often ill than well. M. Poissonier has seriously
advised me to leave Russia, in order that I may recover my
former strength by breathing my native air. Though I fear
neither death nor physicians, and though I am fully persuaded
that the medical profession has not the privilege of alarming
your secretaries of embassy, yet I feel the approach of a
general collapse, which is more convincing than all the
doctors’ arguments, and warns me not to spend a fifth winter in
Russia.... By gaining still more experience of politics, I may
aspire to follow some better trade than that of a scribe and a
pharisee.
De L’Hospital did not detain d’Eon any longer, and commissioned him to
convey to Versailles the ratifications to the treaty of 1758 and to the
maritime convention concluded between Russia, Sweden and Denmark.
D’Eon left St. Petersburg with the fixed determination of never
returning, and carried away with him eulogistic testimonials from
the Marquis de L’Hospital and the Baron de Breteuil, and letters of
recommendation to the Minister for War. The Czarina graciously presented
him with a snuff-box ornamented with diamonds, and upon his taking leave
of Woronzow, the Chancellor said: “I am sorry you are going away, even
though your first journey here, with the Chevalier Douglas, cost my
sovereign more than two hundred thousand men and fifteen million roubles.”
As on the first occasion, the bearer of excellent news, d’Eon again met
with a warm reception in Paris and at Versailles. The Duc de Choiseul
caused a pension of two thousand livres to be conferred upon him out of
the privy purse, and promised to do something for his career.
D’Eon, whom the journey had exhausted, had just been attacked by
small-pox, and was obliged to take care of himself and to await until
the spring the realisation of his long-cherished wish. At last, in the
month of February, 1761, he was able to ask the Duc de Choiseul, Minister
for War, “for permission to serve as aide-de-camp to the Marshal and the
Comte de Broglie in the army of the Upper Rhine, and for his transference
to the regiment of d’Autichamp’s dragoons, in the same army, the
colonel-general’s regiment doing duty that year on the coast.”
The minister was anxious to comply with his request by despatching him
to the army; but this official sanction was insufficient for d’Eon; he
required further the consent of the King. The Comte de Broglie, whose
aide-de-camp he wished to become, and who, in fact, continued to attend
to the business of the secret diplomacy from the army, submitted his
desire to the sovereign, and obtained the following reply:—
... I do not think we have need at present of the Sieur d’Eon;
you may, therefore, take him as your aide-de-camp, and it will
be all the better as we shall know where to find him in case of
necessity.
D’Eon was immediately appointed and started without delay for the army,
where he at once entered active service. At Höxter he was entrusted
with the removal of the ammunition and some of the King’s stores
which had been left in the fortress: these he put on board the boats
moored on the banks of the Weser, and crossed the river several times
under the enemy’s fire. A little later, in an action at Ultrop, near
Löft, he was wounded in the face and thigh. On November 7, 1761, when
commanding the grenadiers of Champagne and the Swiss, he attacked the
Scottish Highlanders, who were ambushed in the mountain gorges close to
the camp of Einbeck, dislodging them and pursuing them as far as the
English quarters. Lastly, at Osterwieck, when in command of a small
detachment of only about a hundred dragoons and hussars, he fearlessly
charged the Frankish Prussian battalion of Rhes, which had intercepted
the communications of the French army near Wolfenbüttel. So sudden was
his attack that the enemy, put to confusion, laid down their arms,
enabling him to take eight hundred prisoners. The Prince Xavier de Saxe
profited by this daring exploit in advancing his troops and occupying
Wolfenbüttel. All these great feats, which d’Eon was wont to recount
complacently, and which he bade his biographer, La Fortelle, relate, are
attested besides by the certificate delivered to him by the Marshal and
the Comte de Broglie on his leaving the army:
Victor-François, Duc de Broglie, Prince of the Holy Empire,
Marshal of France, Knight of the Royal Orders, Commander in
Alsace, Governor of the town and castle of Béthune, and in
command of the French army on the Upper-Rhine;
And Charles, Comte de Broglie, Knight of the Royal
Orders, Lieutenant-General of the King’s armies, and
Quartermaster-General of the army of the Upper Rhine.
We certify that M. d’Eon de Beaumont, captain of the regiment
of dragoons of d’Autichamp, has made the last campaign with
us as our aide-de-camp; that during the whole of the said
campaign we very frequently employed him in carrying the orders
of the general, and that he has, upon several occasions,
given proofs of the greatest intelligence and of the greatest
valour; notably at Höxter, in executing, in presence of, and
under fire of, the enemy the perilous operation of removing
the powder and other stores of the King; at the reconnaissance
and at the battle of Ultrop, where he was wounded in the
head and in the thigh; and near Osterwieck, where, as second
captain of a detachment of eighty dragoons under the orders
of M. de Saint-Victor, commanding the volunteers of the army,
they charged the Frankish Prussian battalion of Rhes with such
effect and determination that they took them prisoners of war,
notwithstanding the superior number of the enemy.
In testimony whereof, we have delivered to him this
certificate, signed with our hand, and have affixed thereunto
our seals.
Cassel, December 24, 1761.
THE MARSHAL DUC DE BROGLIE.
THE COMTE DE BROGLIE.
The original of this certificate has been lost, but d’Eon published the
text himself in London in 1764, at the time of his quarrels with the
Comte de Guerchy, when the Marshal and the Comte de Broglie were still
alive, so that the accuracy of the testimony cannot well be questioned.
It was at this time that d’Eon met a man in de Broglie’s army who
exercised later a decisive influence over his destiny, ruining his
regular career, and launching him in a series of adventures, one more
bizarre than another, which involved the ruin of his brilliant qualities,
and the loss, through an extravagant metamorphosis, of his manly dignity.
The Comte de Guerchy, future ambassador of France in England, was then
lieutenant-general in Marshal de Broglie’s army. On August 19, 1761, the
day that the French army crossed the Weser below Höxter, Captain d’Eon
was commissioned by his chief to deliver to him the following order:—
The Marshal requests the Comte de Guerchy to order the brigades
of infantry on the right bank of the Weser to take at once
400,000 cartridges which are there, and which a storekeeper of
artillery will distribute to them, to the place to which M.
d’Eon, the bearer of this note, will conduct them.
Given at Höxter, August 19, 1761.