MESQUITA, Jose Francisco de (mes-kee'-tah), Marquis de Bomfin, Brazilian philanthropist, born in Congonhas (lo Campo, 11 January, 1790; died in Rio Janeiro, 11 December, 1872. He contributed largely to the commercial fund that John VI. destined for the foundation of the Academy of fine arts, aided in establishing the first bank of Brazil in 1818, and also founded the Sinking-fund bank. In 1822 he aided in the establishment of Brazilian independence by his money and influence. He made large bequests to the Santa Casa da Misericordia hospital of Rio Janeiro, that of Minas Gemes, and other charitable institutions, besides gifts to many poor people, widows, and orphans of the municipality of Rio Janeiro a, nd his native province.