1John Taylor to Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I am constrained to write you this letter, by having Seen in the news papers an extract of a letter , said to be written by you, approving of construction construed ; to assure you that I had never seen nor heard of your letter, if it is genuine, before I saw it in a news paper. Recently I inclosed you a draft on the bank of Virginia at Richmond to be applied at your discretion as before...
2John Taylor to Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
When I first wrote to you on the private subject, I supposed that Col o Nicholas had left at least one young son, and that it would be better to pay $125 annually towards his education, than a larger sum at once. Upon learning from you the state of the family, it now seems to me that $500 contributed at once, will probably do them more good than the four annual advances. In a former letter you...
3John Taylor to Thomas Jefferson, 25 March 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing can be better, nor more conformable to my wishes, than the mode you mention of learning the wants of Col o Nicholas ’s family, and the application of the small sum destined towards their alleviation; and I thankfully agree to it. You will therefore be so good as to add to the obligation, by informing me, in which of the banks at Fredericksburg the money shall be lodged, or whether it...
4John Taylor to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 14 th instant induces me to think, that the small sum mentioned in my last , may be of some use. Perhaps it may enable the young man intended for the law , to prosecute his studies in your university or elsewhere. Perhaps it may be beneficially applied to the unmarried daughters. But you do not say whether you will apply it. This is material, because it is my wish from some...
5John Taylor to Thomas Jefferson, 3 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will excuse the liberty I am about to take, when I assure you that I have no other means of effecting my object. Is the family of the late Col o Wilson C. Nicholas in destitute circumstances? Did he leave sons whose educations are unfinished? Would a contribution, if such is the case, of one hundred and twenty five dollars annually for four years be beneficial to them? Would you...
6To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 23 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Several opinions, in relation to the present aspect of publick affairs, have long pressed on my mind; to publish them might be pernicious and to suppress them, criminal; The badness of my judgment and information, suggests the first apprehension, and the possibility nevertheless of their containing some useful hint, the second; to satisfy both; and recollecting that common soldiers have aided...
7To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 8 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment been informed by Mr: Martin, that he has at length found a workman capable of executing the drill, and he expresses an anxiety to furnish you with it. He is however apprehensive that the long delay, and the disappointment of your wish to have it in time to be sent by the vessel you mentioned, may have altered your disposition to have it made at all. Be pleased to drop me a...
8To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 12 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of June the 22d. only reached me this day; being directed “near the Bowling Green” it has slept in that post office; for I now live 17 miles from it, near Port Royal. Immediately on receiving your first letter, I applied to Mr. Martin to make a drill for you, and my instances have been often repeated. His inclination to comply was strong and he promised it. The difficulty was to...
9To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 26 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
If this letter should be improper; its apology is, that no evil design suggested it. An idea is circulated, that after the expiration of the next presidential term, you purpose to decline a re-election.—as one of your constituents; as one of your friends; I am about to inform you of its reception within the compass of my observation, and to add several remarks as to its propriety. The...
10To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I herewith send you the Swedish turnip seed promised. This species of turnip seems to me to require earlier sowing than the common kind, to be drilled and cultivated. Accept the highest esteem and respect, of, Sir, Yr: mo: obt: St. RC ( ViU ); endorsed by TJ as received 5 July, but recorded in SJL as received 6 July. TJ had introduced the Swedish turnip , or rutabaga, to Taylor in 1795, and...