PESADO, Jose Joaquin (pay-sah'-do), Mexican poet, born in San Agustin del Palmar, 9 February, 1801 ; died in the city of Mexico, 3 March, 1861. His education was acquired by his own efforts. He was an authority in the Spanish language, was familiar with Latin, Italian, French, and English, and studied philosophy, theology, law, history, and natural science. He entered public life in 1833 as a member of the legislature of Vera Cruz, of which, in 1834, he became governor. In the same year, with Francisco Modesto Olaguibel, he conducted a paper, "La Oposicion," and wrote a short novel attacking the conduct of the inquisition of Mexico. In 1888 he entered the cabinet of Bustamante as minister of the interior and foreign affairs, but in 1889 he retired from public life. He received in 1854 the honorary degree of LL. D. from the University of Mexico, was a member of all the scientific, artistic, and literary societies of the country, and corresponding member of the Royal Spanish academy. He published a collection of "Poesias originales y traducidas" (1839 ; 2d ed., 1840); a volume containing part of his poem "La Revelacion" (1856); and a partial translation of the "Gerusalemme Liberata" of Tasso (1860).