Tayler applied to the Admiralty several times for a command at sea, but was politely turned down each time. In 1816 he requested a ship to take part on the Bombardment of Algiers, and a few years later, citing his local knowledge of the coast, offered his services during the political turmoil in Portugal. In April 1828 another application stated the "he was in the prime of life, quite recovered from his wounds, and ready for any service or climate". In August 1831 in a request to Sir James Graham, he noted that "if the crew of a frigate was required, he could obtain volunteers to man one with dispatch". The same month he offered his services as flag captain to Sir Philip Durham, under whom he had served as a midshipman. Durham replied in friendly terms, but also reminded him that 20 years service as captain as considered necessary to command a first rate.