Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 5).djvu/50

28 subsequently lost by engaging with William Duer in Alexander Hamilton's scheme for funding the national debt. In 1787 he was sent to the legisla- ture, and for a time he was also translator of the French language for the government. He edited the New York ' Daily Advertiser " in 1802, but he soon relinquished it and visited New Orleans on business. The knowl- edge of the province of Louisiana that he ac- quired there led to his being called in 1803 by Albert Gallatin. then secretary of the treas- ury, toexpress his views as to the natural re- sources of this colony, and he responded fa- vorably. Indeed, his exact information con- cerning the value of the province was be- yond doubt the most important considera- tion submitted to the authorities, and tin "!! that led to its purchase. For many years after 1804 he was first city in-pei-- tor, and during the war of 1812, owing to scarcity of change, lie w;is authorized by the corporation to issue notes of fractional denominations. He was secretary of the Mutual assurance company from 1809 till 1829, and in 1819 he originated the first savings bank that was established in New York city, serving as its second president from 1823 till 1842. From 1819 till 1829 he was secretary of the New York chamber of commerce, and it was prin- cipally through his interest that that body was re- established after the war. Mr. Pintard was treas- urer of the Sailors' Snug Harbor in 1819-'23, and he was instrumental in the purchase of property on Staten island, where the home is now located. In 1804 he was active in founding the New York historical society, to which he presented many valuable works on colonial history, and he was likewise instrumental in establishing the Massa- chusetts historical society in 1791, winning the title of " father of historical societies " in this country. Mr. Pintard was also active in the foun- dation of the American Bible society, served as its secretary and then as its vice-president, and was the first sagamore of the Tammany society. He was manager of lotteries in New York city when such were fashionable, and it is believed that Co- lumbia college received the grant of the Botanic gardens, containing twenty acres, by his interven- tion and the aid of De Witt Clinton and David Hosack. On 19 Feb., 1805, with others, he began the efforts that resulted in the present free-school system of New York city, and he was also active in all the movements that resulted in the building and completion of the Erie canal. Mr. Pintard projected the plan of streets and avenues that is now in existence in the upper part of New York. From 1800 till near the close of his life there were few enterprises of public utility that he did not further by his pen and purse. Mr. Pintard was one of the chief supporters of the General theo- logical seminary, devising ways and means for its removal from New Haven "to New York city, and presenting it with many valuable works. In 1885 Pintard Hall, one of the dormitories of the seminary, was eivrtr.l in his honor. The decree of LL. D. was eont'envd on him by Allegheny college in 1822. He published an account i >f New" Orleans in the " New York Medical Repository." and a notice of "Philip Freneau " in the New York Mirror" (1833), and translated the " Book of Common Prayer" into French for the Huguenot church in New York city, of which he was a vestryman for thirty-four years. His version is still used.

PINTO, Bento Teixeira (peen'-to), Brazilian poet, b. in Pernambuco in the first half of the 16th century; d. about 1610. He composed and pub- lished a poem in eight-line stanzas entitled " Pro- sopopea," dedicated to Jorge de Albuquerque Co- elho (Rio Janeiro, 1601). This work, which had become extremely rare, was reprinted in 1872 by the librarian of the Rio Janeiro national and pub- lic library from the original copy, which was dis- covered in the library, where it had lain neglected. ,In 1601 he also published in Rio Janeiro a " Dia- logo sobre as grandezas do Brazil " and a " Narra- tive de naufragio de Jorge Coelho em su viagem de Pernambuco sobre 6 navio Santo Antonio em 1 "iti."i." republished in " Historia das tragedias mari- timas" (Rio Janeiro. 1852).

PINTO, Francisco Antonio, Chilian states- man, b. in Santiago about 1785 ; d. there in 1858. He acquired a good education, and when very young was graduated as a lawyer in the University of San Felipe. Soon afterward the revolution of 1810 began, and he took part in the patriotic move- ment. The following year he went to Buenos Ay res as a diplomatic agent, and in 1813 he was sent to London with a like commission. He served in 1817 in the Argentine Republic under the orders of Gen. Manuel Belgrano (g. ;.), but in 1821 he returned to Chili and went to Peru with the Chilian liberating army. On his return to Chili In as elected vice-president of the republic: when (ien. Freire resigned the presidency in 1827 Pinto as- sumed the executive. He accomplished many re- forms, promoted public instruction, and enlarged the National library. He resigned on 14 July. 1829, and, although in the same year he was re-elected, he iv-igned again in 1830. Afterward he lived in retirement for several years, but later he occupied the offices of senator and councillor of state. His son, Anibal, president of Chili, b. in Santiago in 1824; d. in Valparaiso in 1884, studied in the L'ni- versity of Chili, in 1845 was appointed attache of the Chilian legation in Rome, and in 1848 promoted secretary. On his return to Chili he was called to the chair of philosophy and the humanities in the university. During the government of Jose Joaquin Perez (g. v.) in 1862 he was appointed intendant of the province of Concepcion, and during his long administration he embellished the capital and im- proved its hospitals and highways, lie was elected deputy to congress several times, and in IN6!i was offered the portfolio of the treasury, which he re- fused, not wishing to take part in politics. In 1870 he was appointed senator, and was one of the prin- cipal promoters of the railway that unites the port, of Talcahuano with the province of Nuble. When Federico Errazuriz (q. v.) occupied the presidency of Chili in 1871, he called Pinto to organ i/e a eal>i- net; but the latter declined, accepting only the portfolio of war and the navy, which he occupied three years. In 1876 he was elected president of Chili. During his administration the war against. Peru and I'nlivia beiran in 1N7!I, and by his eneixy the means for it^ prompt proseeiition were for- warded to the trout. On 8 Sept., 1881. he delivered the executive to his SUCCCSSOr, Domingo Sallt.'l Maria, and retired into private life.

'''PINZON. Martin Alonso''' (pin-thone'), Spanish naii. r ator. b. in Pains de Moguer in 1441 ; d. there in 14!:!. lie was de-eemled from a family ot sea-