Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, p. 1024

Nation.  A people, or aggregation of men, existing in the form of an organized jural society, usually inhabiting a distinct portion of the earth, speaking the same language, using the same customs, possessing historic continuity, and distinguished from other like groups by their racial origin and characteristics, and generally, but not necessarily, living under the same government and sovereignty.  Montoya v. U.S., 180 U.S. 261, 21 S.Ct. 358, 45 L.Ed. 521

In American constitutional law the word "state" is applied to the several members of the American Union, while the word "nation" is applied to the whole body of the people embraced within the jurisdiction of the federal government. 

[Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, p. 1024]

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Chisholm v. Georgia, 2 Dall. (U.S.) 419, 1 L.Ed. 440 (1793)

“By that law the several States and Governments spread over our globe, are considered as forming a society, not a NATION. It has only been by a very few comprehensive minds, such as those of Elizabeth and the Fourth Henry, that this last great idea has been even contemplated. 3rdly. and chiefly, I shall examine the important question before us, by the Constitution of the United States, and the legitimate result of that valuable instrument. “

[Chisholm v. Georgia, 2 Dall. (U.S.) 419, 1 L.Ed. 440 (1793)]