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no. 1 Red Clay Cherokee Nation July 4th 1837 John H Payne Esq. Sir I am authorized to inform you that Mr Andrew Sanders whose Cherokee name is Snake, who is a Cherokee of good Character, is willing to be considered your informant with regard to the Traditions which Mr Butrick has sent you. And among [[overlay of note, words at right angles transcribed here - "This volume to be taken apart and unbound papers added, continuing them on the same plan, with interleaves of similar paper - Preserve any memoranda which may be thrown out in rebinding - Change the color of the back to that of the Cherokee Series and put a plain lettering of Cherokee Customs & Antiquities]] words cut off - underneath overlay

& direct when & how all are to die. - 2d The most Sacred Name of God is yi ho wa, a name which no common person was even allowed to speak, nor any One only on certain occasions.The hymn called Yowa, is sung to yi ho wa - . 3rd 3rd The world was created with the fruits ripe, at the commencement of the first autumnal new moon, which is therefore called the great moon, and begins the year as far as respects all the feasts of new moons. But with the first new moon in the Spring the fruits begin to come forward, therefore that moon begins the year with regard to the feast of first fruits.

 Mr Sanders has interpreted for Mr Butrick so that through him all the traditions have been Communicated. And he fully believes they have not been received from whitemen for the following reasons. viz.

1st The antiquarians who relate them are men of integrity and universally declare that they were handed down from their fathers. 2nd The persons familiar with the above and other traditions & antiquities, are generally such as have been from their childhood, most entirely secluded from the whites, having no direct communication with them. 3rd The most aged of the Cherokee are almost the only persons acquainted with the above traditions, excepting a few who have learned from them. 4th The Ancient Cherokees have generally held the white people and their religion in such contempt that there is no reason to suppose they would learn of them. I am authorized also to say that Thomas Smith, whose Indian name is Shield eater and Noo,cho,wee are willing to be considered your informants as respects