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3 and that this first great feast ought to be kept after grass began to grow, would now agree to the innovation. As the Cherokees formerly lived about Holston* & in parts north ward of this country, it is probable that at the feast remembrance of the present aged antiquarians, grass did not grow till towards the latter part of March, as it did not in their present country this year viz. 1838, therefore it is evident that their spring & year year commenced the latter part of March, But this is farther evident from the following circumstance viz. The Cherokees divided the year into two equal parts, summer and winter. In this division the winter embraced the whole period from the commencement of the autumn, to the commencement of spring. But their first autumnal new moon, called the great moon, made its appearance after frost came, about the time leaves began to fall, which must be the latter part of September, and was of course the October New moon. From the first appearance of this moon half the year forward would carry us to the latter part of March, that is, to the first appearance of the April new moon, which was therefore, evidently the time for observing their first great national feast, and the commencement of their sacred? year.


* Holston - Tennessee