11To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 15 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Lancaster County, 15 Apr. 1781 . Encloses “a list of the number of Men raised in this County for recruiting this States quota of Troops to serve in the Continental Army, likewise a particular number of each Division, and a return of the Militia but not so full as your last instructions required, as I have not recieved any returns from the Different Captains since.” The return of ammunition...
12To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, with Jefferson’s Opinion on Mary Wayland, [16 August 1782] (Jefferson Papers)
Your most Curious Council is required on the following Cases. Case the 1st. Adam Wayland of Culpeper County in the Virga. State, after 1st. Lawful Marriage had 6 Children by his wife and She pregnant with the 7th.—Made a Will by which will he bequeath’d his wife one full Third part of his Estate, his wife in time of her pregnancy was Taken with the Small pox and Died—after remaining a widower...
13To Benjamin Franklin from John Taylor, 1 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The great friendship you have ever shewn me, produces a liberty which I trust you will forgive, as the subject is a matter of the utmost importance to me, and my family— I see in Freemans Philada. Journal of the 27th. february 1782 among the names of those who have forfeited their Estates, two John Taylors , and as I have not heard from my Agent Wm. West...
14To James Madison from John Taylor, 11 May 1793 (Madison Papers)
By Colo. Monroe an opportunity occuring, I take it to inform you, that I have not been idle since my return. Upon reflection, it seemed to me, that at the next Session of Congress, and at its very commencement, a direct, firm and resolute attack should be made upon the bank law. The news papers are improper channels through which to make a considerable impression on the public mind, because...
15To James Madison from John Taylor, 20 June 1793 (Madison Papers)
In coming from Philadelphia, alone, and meditative, after Congress had risen, the occurrences which had trodden on each others heels, in too rapid succession for much reflection during the session, began to pass muster in my mind, and to peice themselves together, so as to exhibit an unity of design. Connecting these with several important laws of the union, a variety of fantasies were...
16To James Madison from John Taylor, 5 August 1793 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment parted with Giles & Venable, who have been two days at my house; the contents of the packet I sent you by Mr: Maury were stated to them, and they request me to convey their respects, and their decided opinions to you. They think the production ought to be printed and dispersed as soon as possible. It may produce in the virga. Assembly a repeal of the bank laws, and an...
17To James Madison from John Taylor, 25 September 1793 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 20th. is this instant handed to me. Had you been present, & wielding the pencil of a Hogarth, you might have depicted a lively sensation of human nature, on having the approbation it relates, announced to it. The approbation of the good, is only inferior to a consciousness of having served mankind, in the pleasurable emotions it excites. The emendation of the paper, is not only...
18To George Washington from John Taylor, 14 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
IN the spirit of truth, and not of adulation, does the following performance solicit your attention. Nor is its hope of acquiring some share of your countenance diminished, by the circumstance of your not having in an official character withheld your signature, from several of the measures investigated. A responsibility in the chief magistrate, for the effects of every legislative act—an...
19Memorandum from John Taylor, 11 May 1794 (Madison Papers)
On the 8th. or 9th. instant T. asked leave of absence of the Senate, and expressed seriously his intention to resign. K. soon after invited T. into one of the committee rooms, and informed him, that he wished to converse with him seriously & candidly upon a very important subject. He stated that it was utterly impossible for the union to continue. That the southern and eastern people thought...
20To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 1 June 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter dated one month past, was delivered to me, as I was about to leave philadelphia, and this circumstance defered my answer hitherto. It was my purpose previously to have seen Mr: Martin, who is the inventor of the drilling machine , the simplicity of which is its best recommendation; but a succession of heavy rains have swept off our mills and bridges, and left a gulf between Mr:...
21To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 15 August 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time past, I inclosed you the pamphlet you wrote for—accepted of your commission to procure the drill plow—and requested to know to whom at Richmond I should forward it. The plow has been ready for some time and delayed for want of an answer. Concluding at length, that my letter, or your reply has failed, I have forwarded it herewith to the care of Mr: John Harvie at Richmond, and...
22To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 5 March 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
There is a spice of fanaticism in my nature upon two subjects—agriculture and republicanism, which all who set it in motion, are sure to suffer by. Tho’ there is no comfort, there is a warning in the confession, enabling you at this moment to escape from its effect. For I am about to go farther into the means which I have practised for the recovery of worn out lands, the experiments I have...
23To James Madison from John Taylor, 16 November 1796 (Madison Papers)
Governor Brooke is this day elected the attorney for the commonwealth in place of Mr: Innes, and several of us have turned our Eyes with much anxiety towards you as his successor. Our hopes that you will accept of the government are sanguine, in consequence of information, that you purpose to discontinue your seat in congress, after the next session. It is probable that there will be no...
24To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 14 October 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
A model of Martin’s machine for seperating the grain of wheat from the straw, is now before me, and yet simple as it is, I have no hopes that my mechanical knowledge is equal to a description so perspicuous, as to enable you to erect one. For it probably bears a very distant analogy to the Scotch machine or to Booker’s, neither of which had ever been seen by Mr: Martin, when he invented his....
25To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 19 November 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith I have forwarded to you the drill you requested, packed into a crate basket, in a secure manner. This machine is an improvement upon that heretofore sent you, in having cups cut into iron rollers, instead of being fixed to bands. The effect, is perfect regularity in the sheding of the grain, because no change will be produced by the quantity in the box—because these cups must fill...
26To John Adams from John Taylor, 10 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
At the time when the contest for the Presidency, produced a general discussion relative to the political opinions of the gentleman proposed for that office, I mentioned to Genl. Lee a conversation I had with you in the Senate chamber some years past, and he now calls upon me for a statement of what I then said. I think there would at this time be an impropriety, in giving it, except for the...
27To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 25 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr: Martin, for whom I solicited you to obtain a patent for a thrashing machine, has made several important improvements upon the model forwarded to you, and therefore wishes the taking out of a patent may be postponed, until his application can be so amended, as that it may include these improvements. For this End I will very shortly take the liberty of inclosing you the proper papers,...
28To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 4 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I now take the liberty of inclosing you the papers accompanied with a drawing to obtain Mr: Martin’s patent , having by a reference to the law, discovered the error in having before omited this drawing. Mr: Martin wishes the former papers to be withdrawn or to remain unnoticed, not only on account of this error, but also because several essential improvements have been added by him, since the...
29To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, [before 13 May 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
Having removed to some distance from Mr: Martin’s, his consideration of your letter of the 6th. of April, and the drawing it covered, has been somewhat delayed. He says, as indeed you will discover, that his amended machine, of which a drawing was lately sent you, has anticipated several of your objections, by having dispensed with the screw, and some of the wheels—that he had in the course of...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 25 June 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
The observations contained in yours of the 4th. instant, upon my letter to Colo. New, induce me to say something respecting our political situation, explanatory of one idea in that letter, of which you evidently disapprove. Convinced of the caution imposed on you by the malevolence of party, I have forborne the liberty I am now about to take; but considering your interrogations as permissive,...
31To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, [before 11 December 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
It would be happy indeed for us, if agriculture and farming still continued to be interesting subjects—but alas! can we, when our house is on fire, be solicitous to save the kittens? How long is it to burn, or will it ever be extinguished? I would be almost content to save a single apartment. If a sufficient spirit had appeared in our legislature, it was my project, by law, to declare the...
32To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 15 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter concerning a successor to Mr. Tazewell , took the rout to Richmond, and found me at home a few days past, for the assembly had risen before its arrival. It was my wish to have tried Colo. M. against Wood at the last session, of which I informed Colo . Nicholas previous to its meeting, but it was prevented by a doubt of success. This however would have been a pledge for my exertions...
33To James Madison from John Taylor, 4 March 1799 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from the southward of this state, written by a gentleman upon whom I can rely, containing the following sentence. “Mr: Henry has certainly declared for the next Assembly, in obedience to the call from General Washington, who has called on him to step forward and save his country —this is laughable; after the abuse formerly lavished upon that character, they now...
34To James Madison from John Taylor, 10 September 1800 (Madison Papers)
When Majr. Lindsay died, I have heard that you interested yourself on behalf of Mr: F. Taylor, as his successor. Colo. Byrd is now dead, and I take the liberty of informing you, by the request of Mr: Taylor, that he is again soliciting the naval officer’s place at Norfolk. I have heard Mr: Taylor frequently spoken of by merchants on this river, of opposed political principles, in terms of the...
35To James Madison from John Taylor, 15 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 November 1802, Caroline, Virginia. Introduces his neighbor Landon Carter of Cleve, who comes to Washington “with an invention, which, if it is as successful in practice, as it promises in theory to be, will serve still farther to exalt the American character.” “Altho’ you may have no particular acquaintance with him, his reputation must undoubtedly have reached you.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p....
36To James Madison from John Taylor, 26 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 December 1803, Port Royal, Virginia. “Inclosed is the copy of a letter addressed to the Secretary of the treasury, for reasons therein stated. My motive for writing it, is an opinion that neither yourself or Mr: Gallatin, have the most distant chance of employing a clerk, likely to be so agreeable and useful as Mr: Mc.Allister; and I felt it a duty to make one of you to avail yourself (if...
37To 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...
38To James Madison from John Taylor, 10 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
Robert Baylor Carter, is the son of a person who was minister of the parish in which I formerly lived. There the father died, and there the son was born. I have known him from a child, and therefore can say positively, that he is a native of Virginia. This young friend of mine writes on the 4th. instant from Norfolk, that he was to sail the next morning for the Bay of Honduras, and he desires...
39To 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...
40To James Madison from John Taylor, 15 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Although I see that you do not like my letters, yet as I like your friendship, I write again, and ask a favor or two, to shew you that I do not feel an atom of that little sensation, which sometimes lurks in the bosoms of the best friends, who happen to differ, even in speculative subjects. Indeed, I cannot persuade myself that we do differ; for I believe that the government are pursueing...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To James Madison from John Taylor, 7 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
A young Gentleman of your State has conceived that Nature intended him for an author. The enclosed Volume is his first fruit; & because I was known to him, he has solicited that through me his production should reach your attention. The Book I confess has very little of novelty or invention. The thoughts tho not out of the common way , appear to me for the most part to be strictly conformable...
45To James Madison from John Taylor, 12 March 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 March 1813, New York. “The Petition of John Taylor of the City of New York Grocer. Respectfully Sheweth “That your Petitioner is a Native of Ireland, but has been long Settled as a resident in New York. “That your Petitioner having determined to become a Citizen of the United States, announced Such his intention & took the Oath declaring the Same as appears by the certificate hereunto...
46To John Adams from John Taylor, 24 December 1813 (Adams Papers)
Orator, and the printed Sheets you speak of in your letter of the 12th. instant, were, as you conjecture, written by me. Orator, published in the newspapers several years past, received the form of a book for the benefit of an indigent family; and the whole edition, or near it, has been sold. The paper binding and printing were all bad, and the price high. The same people have lately...
47To John Adams from John Taylor, 24 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
Lest any letter of December the 24th. last, in answer to yours of the 12th. of the same month, may not have come to hand, I mention it, in acknowledging the receipt of yours of the 9th. inst. with the discourses on Davila, you are so good as to present me. Truth having been the object of the enquiry you mention, it is a publick misfortune and a matter of regret to me; as it is hard to find and...
48To John Adams from John Taylor, 20 May 1814 (Adams Papers)
I return you with regret your pamphlet printed in 1776, in the form of a letter to a friend. The admirable outline for a militia in its 22d. page, is itself a treasure—worthy of perpetual preservation, nor do I know as good a text for a valuable political work, is afforded in that short paragraph. Had it come to my knowledge, it would have been substituted for the North Carolina letter. That,...
49To James Madison from John Taylor, 4 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am told that very high credentials are in the Secretary of State’s office in favour of my old school mate Edmund J Lee, you must know more of him than I do. But a long intimacy & Friendship which I have been happy enough to enjoy with this modest & as I think unassuming Gentleman, induces me to feel an interest in his welfare & prosperity, & if his known diligence & capacity for Business...
50To John Adams from John Taylor, 10 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I drop you a line to apprise you of an error in numbering your letters. Numbers 23 & 25 have been received, but no number 24.—25 is evidently the successor of 23, and ought to have been numbered 24. These letters give me great pleasure, and if I live, shall be candidly considered. They contain many observations, in which we differ and agree. They are all read under the influence of a wish to...
51To John Adams from John Taylor, 20 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry you terminated your strictures upon my Enquiry because it is probable that I may comply with a late solicitation to issue a new edition, which I incline to enrich with your observations, as I formerly intimated to you. Its value would be still farther enhanced, if you would favour me with your opinion upon banking, which corresponded, I think, in some degree, with my own. The...
52John 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...
53John 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...
54John 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...
55John 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...
56John 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...
57To John Adams from John Taylor, 8 April 1824 (Adams Papers)
During a long illness, from which I am not yet recovered, the reveries which usually amuse sick people, visited me; and among them the idea of writing a farewell letter to you, presented itself so often, as to leave an impression, which I have not been able to subdue. In yielding to it, my free style will I hope be pardoned, in consideration of its being the last trouble I shall give you; and...