To Thomas Jefferson from James Taylor, Jr., 20 February 1804
From James Taylor, Jr.
Norfolk Febry 20th. 1804
Sir
I have deferred answering your favors of 29 Jany & 1 feb: in hopes of being able to give you information that the myrtle wax candles coud be procured—I have made enquiry wherever there was a chance of procuring the wax, & have several people looking out for it, but fear I shall not succeed—Colonel Cook of Surry has promised to send me a few barrel of Cyder, if he can get such as is worth sending to you; your directions respecting the casing shall be attended to—the pipe of Wine & one box of champaigne shall be sent by Butler, it would be better to request some person in Alexr. to attend to reshipping the articles sent from hence—Colo: Newton has been very much indisposed since his return & is still confind—I am respectfully
Yr: ob: Sert.
Ja Taylor jr
RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.
colonel cook of surry: probably a member of the Cocke family, which had played a prominent role in Surry County for many years. Possibilities include Richard Cocke, whose home was actually in neighboring Isle of Wight County, and John Hartwell Cocke, who had ties to Norfolk through his wife (Norfolk American Beacon, 20 Feb. 1816; “The Cocke Family of Virginia [Henrico],” , 5 [1897], 71, 73, 78).
sent by butler: likely Tristram Butler, who in November had handled a shipment for TJ from Norfolk to Alexandria (Edward Johnston to TJ, 23 Nov. 1803).