31John 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...
32John 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To 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....
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...