Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 10 May 1821
To John Taylor
Monticello May 10. 21.
Dear Sir
I am just returned from my other home in Bedford where I pass much of my time. on consulting with my grandson he informs me that the elder daughter of mrs Nicholas, living with her, from her extraordinary good sense & discretion has the whole affairs of the family under her care, and that it is only on consultation with her that the best application of your favor can be decided on, and that she may be confided on to make the application without the family’s knowing of it. this consultation can only be on his first visit to Warren, which will be ere long. but his idea is that the money will not be wanting until the fall. as to the mode of remittance the best I think will be by a check of the bank of Fredsbg on any bank in Richmond. this would be inscrutable. the check may be payable to me, I will lodge it in the proper bank & give him an order on the bank.
From the bottom of my soul I congratulate you on the revolution of Italy. it secures Spain & Portugal, and will extend representative government to the whole continent of Europe except Russia. the head of Francis will I hope be sent on a pole to the fool of France as a warning of what awaits him. ever and affectionately yours
Th: Jefferson
RC (MHi: Washburn Autograph Collection); addressed: “Colo John Taylor Portroyal”; franked; postmarked Charlottesville, 12 May; endorsed by Taylor. PoC (NHi: Thomas Jefferson Papers); on verso of reused address cover of John Wayles Eppes to TJ, 7 Oct. 1820; edge trimmed; mutilated at seal, with some missing text rewritten by TJ; endorsed by TJ.
TJ’s grandson was Thomas Jefferson Randolph. The elder daughter of Margaret Smith Nicholas was Sarah E. Nicholas. The fool of france was Louis XVIII.
Index Entries
- Bank of Fredericksburg search
- charity; donations to families in need search
- France; TJ on search
- Francis I, emperor of Austria; and Italy search
- Italy; and revolution in Naples search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; European monarchs search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; revolution in Naples search
- Louis XVIII, king of France; TJ on search
- Nicholas, Margaret Smith (Wilson Cary Nicholas’s wife); and W. C. Nicholas’s debts search
- Nicholas, Sarah E.; and W. C. Nicholas’s debts search
- Nicholas, Wilson Cary (1761–1820); estate of search
- Nicholas, Wilson Cary (1761–1820); family of search
- Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); TJ returns from search
- Portugal; and revolutions in Europe search
- Randolph, Thomas Jefferson (TJ’s grandson; Jane Hollins Nicholas Randolph’s husband); and W. C. Nicholas’s estate search
- Russia; and revolutions in Europe search
- Spain; and revolutions in Europe search
- Taylor, John (of Caroline); donation to W. C. Nicholas’s family search
- Taylor, John (of Caroline); letters to search