Page:Henry Adams' History of the United States Vol. 2.djvu/424

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1804.
JEFFERSON'S ENEMIES.
405

not even such sentimental sympathy as had been so kindly given by Pichon.

At the same moment it was noticed that Jefferson changed his style of dress. "He has improved much in the article of dress," wrote Senator Plumer in December, 1804;[1] "he has laid aside the old slippers, red waistcoat, and soiled corduroy small-clothes, and was dressed all in black, with clean linen and powdered hair." Apparently the President had profited by the criticisms of the British minister, and was willing to avoid similar comments from the new French envoy; but he supposed that the Frenchman would show equal civility, and assume an equally republican style. He was mistaken. November 23, undisturbed by Merry's experience, Turreau presented himself at his first audience in full regimentals, and with so much gold lace that Jefferson was half inclined to resent it as an impertinence.[2] Turreau next refused to meet Merry at dinner. He followed up these demonstrations by embracing the cause of Yrujo, and ridiculing Madison to his face. He began by warning his Government that "these people have been thoroughly spoiled; it is time to put them back into their place."[3]

Turreau became intimate with the deputies from Louisiana, and notified Talleyrand that a separation of

  1. Life of Plumer, p. 326.
  2. Diary of J. Q. Adams (Nov. 23, 1804), i. 316.
  3. Turreau to Talleyrand, 27 Janvier, 1805; Archives des Aff. Étr., MSS.