FURTADO DE MENDOCA, Hipelito J. da Costa (foortah'do), Brazilian journalist, born in CoIonia de Sacramento (now Uruguay) in 1773; died in London, England, 11 September 1823. He was graduated in philosophy and law at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, in 1795, and began practice at the bar in Lisbon. He was first Portuguese minister to the United States in 17981800, and in 1803 was sent to London on a secret mission. But his liberal ideas, confirmed during his stay in the United States, had made him enemies at court, and on his return to Portugal in 1804 he was thrown into the dungeons of the Inquisition, where he remained for nearly three years. Early in 1807, assisted by Freemasons, he managed to escape, and sailed for London.

As the Inquisition had confiscated all his property, he was reduced to poverty, and gained a living by his pen. He began in London the publication of the "Correio Braziliense," and notwithstanding that the circulation of the paper was repeatedly prohibited under severe penalties, in 1815 and 1817, it continued to be clandestinely introduced and read in Portugal as well as Brazil. In 1821 and 1822 the "Correio" became the open champion of Brazil, first advocating a constitution and afterward independence, and Furtado was at the same time secret agent of the liberal committee with the British government. After the independence of Brazil had been established in 1822, Furtado was appointed early in 1823 minister to the English, Prussian, and Austrian governments, with residence in London. Among other works, Furtado published "Memoria da America Septentrional"; "Historia de Portugal"; "Nova gramatica Portugueza 6 ingleza"; "Descripcao da arvore assucarina "; and "Descripcao de una machina para toear a bomba a bordo dos navios sam o travalho de homeus."