from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
PENSION. A stated and certain allowance granted by the government to an
individual, or those who represent him, for valuable services performed by
him for the country. The government of the United States has, by general
laws, granted pensions to revolutionary soldiers; vide 1 Story's Laws U. S.
68; 101, 224, 304, 363, 371, 451; 2 Id. 903, 915, 983, 1008, 1240; 3 Id.
1662, 1747, 1778, 1794, 1825, 1927; 4 Id. 2112, 2270, 2329, 2336, 2366; to
naval officers and sailors; 1 Sto. L. U. S. 474, 677, 769; 2 Id. 1284 3 Id.
1565; to the army generally; 1 Id. 360, 412, 448; 2 Id. 833; 3 Id 1573 to
the militia generally; 1 Id. 255, 360, 412, 488 2 Id. 1382; 3 Id. 1873; in
the Seminole war, 3 Id. 1706.