PENSIONARY was also the first minister of the regency of each city in Holland. His office was to give his advice in affairs relating to the government, either of the state in general, or of the city in particular; and in assemblies of the states of the province, he was speaker in behalf of his city. The function, however, of these pensionaries was not everywhere alike; in some cities they only gave their advice, and were never found in assemblies of the magistrates, except when expressly called hither; in others they attended constantly; and in others they made the propositions on the part of the burgomasters, drew up their conclusions, &c. They were called pensionaries, because they received an appointment or pension.