The boundaries of this state, as defined by the cession act of North Carolina, and embodied in the Constitutions of 1796, of 1834 and of 1870, article I, § 31, are as follows: Beginning on the extreme height of the Stone Mountain, at the place where the line of Virginia intersects it, in latitude thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes (36° 30′) north; running thence along the extreme height of that mountain to the place where the Watauga River breaks through it; thence, a direct course, to the top of the Yellow Mountain, where Bright’s Road crosses it; thence along the ridge of that mountain, between the waters of Doe River and the waters of Rock Creek, to the place where the road crosses the Iron Mountain; from thence along the extreme height of that mountain to the place where the Nolichucky River runs through it; thence to the top of the Bald Mountain; thence along the extreme height of that mountain to the Painted Rock, on French Broad River; thence along the highest ridge of that mountain to the place where it is called the Great Iron or Smoky Mountain; thence along the extreme height of that mountain to the place where it is called Unicoi or Unaka Mountain, between the Indian towns of Cowee and Old Chota; thence along the main ridge of that mountain to the southern boundary of North Carolina, including all the territory, lands and waters lying west of that line, and contained within the chartered limits of the state of North Carolina before the cession.