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In the chartered limits of North Carolina, & in those of Georgia & Tennessee, as far as my observations extend, the Cherokees are divided into towns and clans. By towns is not to be understood a cluster of dwellings contained within a small space, as amongst the whites, and, probably, with some other Indian tribes; but a small colony, generally embracing some miles in extent. In the same sense, Cherokee village is to be understood. Every town is not a clan: Clans do not appear to depend on a certain number of towns or inhabitants; but seem to have originated in the manner that the numerous subdivisions amongst the Jews arose.

There are no natural boundaries to the clans, -- the subjects of different clans being mingled. Those of the same clan, are considered as belonging to the same family. In fact this relationship seems to be as binding as the ties of consanguinity. Their mode of calculating clan-kin I do not understand. I have had it imperfectly explained to me, but it appeared