Nation

An independent body politic

A society of men united together for the purpose of promoting their mutual safety and advantage by the joint efforts of their combined strength. But every combination of men who govern themselves independently of all others will not be considered a nation; a body of pirates, for example, who govern themselves, is not a nation. To constitute a nation, another ingredient is required. The body thus formed must respect other nations in general, and each of its members in particular. Such a society has its affairs and interests; it deliberates and takes resolutions in common, — thus becoming a moral person, who possesses an understanding and will and is susceptible of obligations and rights.

Vattel, Prelim. §§ 1, 2; Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, 5 Pet. (U. S.) 52, 8 L. Ed. 25.

It belongs to the government to declare whether they will consider a colony which has thrown off the yoke of the mother-country as an independent state; and until the government have decided on the question, courts of justice are bound to consider the ancient state of things as remaining unchanged; Hoyt v. Gelston, 13 Johns. (N. Y.) 141; Gelston v. Hoyt, id.

561. See Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, 5 Pet. (U. S.) 1, 8 L. Ed. 25; 1 Kent 22.

In American constitutional law the word state is applied to the several members of the Union, while the word nation is applied to the whole body of the people embraced within the jurisdiction of the federal government, Cooley, Const. Lim. See Texas v. White, 7 Wall. (U. S.) 700, 19 L. Ed. 227.