1643, arrived at Cayenne island on 25 Nov. He appointed as governor of the new colony Poncet de Bretigny, a veteran officer, and built a fort. During Mesnard's absence in France in quest of supplies the colonists revolted, murdered Bretigny, and elected Huet- de Navarre {q. v.) to take his place. On his return to the colony, Mesnard refused to sanction the election, but. being unable to depose Huet, built a fort on Bird island, and, returning to France, dissolved the company and transferred the franchise to a new society, "La compagnie des 12 seigneurs." Huet had meanwhile resigned his command, but Mesnard, experiencing many difficulties, reinstated him. Mesnard sold out in 1657, and tried to form an establishment on the west coast of Martinique, where he was killed during the troubles of 1663.
MESQUITA, José Francisco de (mes-kee'-tah), Marquis de Bomfin, Brazilian philanthropist, b. in Congonhas do Campo, 11 Jan., 1790; d. in Rio Janeiro, 11 Dec. 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 Geraes, and other charitable institutions, besides gifts to many poor people,
widows, and orphans of the municipality of Rio Janeiro and his native province.
MESQUITA, Salvador de. Brazilian poet, b.
in Rio Janeiro in 1646: d. in Rome, Italy, in the
beginning of the 18th century. He went "to Rome
for study, took holy orders, and attained high re-
pute as a Latin scholar. His reputation as a poet
was established by his sacred drama " Sacrifieium
-Jepht«" (Rome, 1680). His best tragedies are
"Demetrius," "Perseus," and " Prusias Bithyni"
(Rome, 1690 to 1700).
MESSEIN, Charles Francis Bailly de, R. C.
bishop, b. in Canada in 1741; d. in Quebec in 1794.
He received his early education in Canada, but
finished his theological studies in France. Here
he met Lord Dorchester, afterward governor-general
of Canada, who was so much struck with his
ability that he invited him to England to become
tutor to his children. On his arrival in Canada
he was sent as missionary to the Micmac Indians,
and was also appointed grand vicar of New Brunswick,
Cape Breton, and Prince Edward island.
He was afterward named curé of Pointe-aux-Trembles,
near Quebec. In 1789 he was consecrated
coadjutor bishop of Quebec, notwithstanding the
opposition of the clergy and people, with whom he
was unpopular on account of his attachment to
the English interest. After his consecration he
insisted on sharing the episcopal authority with
Bishop Hubert, titular bishop of Quebec. The
latter refused to allow him to take any part in the
administration of the diocese. De Messein then
returned to Pointe-aux-Trembles, and in 1790
published a letter in the “Gazette de Quebec,” in
which he gave strong expression to his dissatisfaction.
This letter was followed by another, in
which he attacked bitterly the administration of
Bishop Hubert, and demanded the abolition of
most of the holidays observed by Canadian Catholics.
When an effort was made by the government
to establish an undenominational university
in Quebec, and endow it out of the
property of the Jesuits, the movement was warmly
supported by De Messein, but resisted by the rest
of the clergy, and their hostility to him was in-
creased by the letters that he wrote in 1791 in its
favor. He had formed a small party among the
priests, and succeeded in forcing Bishop Hubert
to issue a pastoral the same year abolishing
several festivals, some of which were ordered to be
restored the following year by the pope. His
health was broken by these controversies, and the
failure that attended most of his plans.
MESSINGER, Robert Hinckley, poet, b. in
Boston, Mass., in 1811; d. in Stamford, Conn.,
1 Oct., 1874. He was educated in the Boston
Latin-school, and entered mercantile life in New
York city, where he resided many years. His
poems were written between 1827 and 1832, and
appeared in the New York “American.” The
principal one, “Give me the Old,” suggested by the
famous saying of Alphonso of Castile, “Old wine
to drink, old wood to burn, old books to read, and
old friends to converse with,” was published in
that journal on 26 April, 1838. It may be found
in Griswold's “Poets and Poetry of America”
(Philadelphia, 1842). Mr. Messinger, who was a
friend of Fitz-Greene Halleck, subsequently resided
in New London, N. H.
MESSLER, Abraham, clergyman, b. in Whitehouse, N. J., 15 Nov., 1800; d. m Somerville, N. J., 12 June, 1882. He was graduated at Union in 1821, and at the New Brunswick seminary in 1824, and preached in Montville, N. J., Ovid, N. Y., and North street. New York city. He was pastor of the Reformed Dutch churches in Pompton Plains and in Montville from 1829 till 1832, and became subsequently pastor of the churches of this denomination in Raritan and Somerville, N. J. Rutgers gave him the degree of D. D. in 1843, and he was elected a trustee of that college in 1845. His publications include " Fruits of Early Pietv " (New York, 1838); "St. Paul's Gratitude to Onesiphorus " (1839) ; " Sermon on the Death of President Lincoln " (1865) ; " Eight Memorial Sermons, and Historical Notes of Churches in Somerset County, N. J." (1873) ; " Life and Public Services of Ex-Governor Vroom " (1874) ; "Centennial History of
Somerset County " (1878) ; and numerous contribu-
tions,to religious magazines.
MESY, Augustin de Saffray de, seventh governor of New France, d. in Canada in 1665. He was chosen governor by Bishop Laval (q. v.) with the permission of the king, and entered upon the duties of his office in 1663. He opposed all the colonial authorities, including the bishop and the
governor of Montreal, De Maisonneuve, whom he removed. He was recalled by the king, but died before the arrival of his successor. During the two years of his administration the sovereign council was created, courts of justice established, and the Seminary of Quebec founded.
