[Much of this I have not yet seen the primary documents to confirm, so I am using secondary sources for the description]
By May of 1771 the London Evening Post had reported that more than £60,000 had been wagered on if d’Eon was a man or woman. D’Eon had refused to weigh in on the matter neither confirming or denying her sex. This refusal to respond led many to believe she was involved in the scheme and was profiting on the wagers taking place.
Apparently on the 23rd of March she challenged one of the brokers to a duel. D’Eon was calmed and the duel did not happen. Late in May, she then “disappeared” as reported in Gentleman’s Magazine. This stoked more of the flames about her being a part of the scheme, as this would eventually render the bets “null and void” since they would never find the answer.
D’Eon returned in June, and swore at London City Hall that he had nothing to do with it. She did not, however, confirm her sex. Her sex would still be wagered on until 1777 when two of the men who bet on her gender sued each other so the court would have to make a determination. The court stated that d’Eon was a woman.
This document refers to the rumors that she was part of the brokers scheme to make money on the wager of her sex.
For more, see the British Museum's write-up about this plate. (note to self, check this link for more items to add to collection)
Retrieved from HathiTrust. Originally published on page 56 in The Oxford Magazine for August, 1771 with the engraving on the facing plate.
Content of the Letter to the Editor:
To the EDITOR of the OXFORD MAGAZINE.
(With an elegant Engraving annexed)
SIR,
MONSIEUR D'Eon, or (if you will have it so) Madame D'Eon, is now returned, and many of the Israelites, as well as the Christian Jews of 'Change-alley, begin to hang down their heads; nay, some of them have become lame upon the occasion, and ignominiously waddled out of Jonathan's. (See the Engraving annexed.) Whether D'Eon has publickly exhibited his sex, I know not; but many who have signed policies concerning him, have received such strong testimonies in the matter, that they pretend to know for a certainty, whether he is entitled to the appellation of Monsieur or Madame. A lady of my acquaintance, however, is determined not to yield her wager lost, or believe it to be a man, without having ocular demonstration ---- and I am informed D'Eon has no objection to giving the lady all the satisfaction that lies in his power.
Yours, &x,
A WAG.
The engraving reads:
TITLED: Chevalier D’Eon or the Stock-Brokers Outwitted
D'eon: "Well Broker, how have you Manag'd our Scheme."
Brokers: "Glad to see you return'd Chevalier, we have took the Knowing ones in Swingingly."
"Oh Ch------st I've lost my all"
"Let us Waddle off Quietly"
This broker is drawn to represent a Jew: "Ay and 'tis time for me to be going."
"I told you he would come back"
"Ha! ha! ha! let them laugh that wins say I."
