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;[299] “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.[300] 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.”[301] Turreau became intimate with the deputies from Louisiana, and notified Talleyrand that a separation of the western country from the Union was universally expected. Already, within three months of his arrival, he put his finger on the men who were to accomplish it.[302] Destréhan, he said, was a man of high merit; “but being only moderately ambitious, and head of a numerous family,--having acquired, too, a great personal esteem,--he is not likely to become the principal mover in innovations which are always dangerous without a combination of evidently favorable chances. It is still less likely that he will ever be the instrument of strangers who should seek to excite troubles for their personal advantage.” As for Sauvé, much inferior to his colleague in abilities, he would be guided by Destréhan’s influence. Derbigny was different. “Young still, with wit, ready expression, and French manners, I believe him to be greedy of fortune and fame; I suspect that every _rôle_ will suit him, in order to acquire the one or the other; but there are men of more importance whom circumstances are taking to Louisiana.” Then Turreau, for the information of Talleyrand, drew a portrait of the military commander of Upper Louisiana, who had his headquarters at St. Louis, and whose influence on future events was to be watched.