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On April 10, he reported that he was relieved. He had written ?a few lines to Missers MacGregor and Co. to send me the amount I thought would be sufficient, which was $30. I dont <sic> know whether I did right or not. I was in such pain both night and day that it seemed impossible for me to wait till I received a little from Pa it was a few days ago I wrote them, but 1 have not yet heard from them. But the way I got relief Billie [apparently a slave] found an ole Pair of tooth drawers in the garden with the point broken off. I made ?Canser? file them so he might draw with them I then got old Ben to pull it out for me which of course relieved me. And I am now as well as ever.? [Letter reference].
Samuel was still growing. In the same letter, he mentioned that he was ?out of shoes and
v.
boots and all of my summer clothes are too small.? {Letter reference].
Already, Andrew Jr. was allowing his enthusiasm for Clifton to wane. In a letter to his sister, Rachel Lawrence, dated May 22, 1857, Samuel says that Pa had returned, but ?does not like this place as well as he did at first...He spoke of going to see a place near New Orleans...the prise <sic> of the place is $30,000.1 told him I would not think of buying it. I would keep this place, three or four years any way and then if I sold and bought I would try to get our old home.?
Although his father was subject to swings of highs and lows (perhaps manic-	v'
depressive?), Samuel was normally positive, sometimes to the point of exaggeration. He advised his sister: ?We have a very good stand of cotton, better than any I know of, much better than Col Claiborne.? [Letter reference]. He proudly announced that he had been selected as a ?deligate <sic> to the state convention to elect officials for the state,? a seemingly mature duty, but also asked that his sister give Miss Martha Jones ?my best and duble <sic> twisted love.? [Letter reference].
Financial problems were reflected as early as July 2, 1857. In a letter to his father,
Samuel wrote from Clifton: ? You told me to say to Judge Beasley you would take the 80 acres next to Mr. Bass. Judge Beverly told me you had bought when you came down the last time And wrote to me to know if I had received a check from you he sayed <sic> you told him you should send it as soon as you arrived at Nashville. And he is very anxious to receive it, And has been expecting it every day since you left.? On a positive note, Samuel continued: ?The cotton is doing finely, Henry counted 125 forms and 15 boles on one stalk yesterday. Old Man Gal lender. ..says we will make 150 bales if we have no storm to blow it out. ? [Letter reference],
^^cfe-the 80-acres could be-tbe8e-B0-a?res-whieh-eetripii!>ed~yair!ro'fTh6 1861 Sheriff?	^
?sale?)-,
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(Note: regarding the 150 bales: if accurate, this might give some indication of success. A bale averaged 400 pounds. 150 bales at 400 lbs. = 60,000 lbs. At 40 cents, this would bring