The colonising expedition led by Martim Afonso de Sousa and sent by the King of Portugal in 1530 was the first official attempt at permanently occupying the territory that would become Brazil.
The expedition comprised ships, soldiers, settlers and technicians. Its objectives were to combat French trading posts, explore the coastline between Maranhão and the Rio da Prata, and establish political and administrative settlements.
The mission led to the establishment of settlements, including São Vicente in 1532, marking the start of organised Portuguese colonisation in Portuguese America.
1. Context and cause
Expedição colonizadora de Martim Afonso de Sousa ao Brasil
The frequent presence of French trading posts along the Brazilian coast, which engaged in illegal brazilwood trade with indigenous peoples, led to the establishment of coastguard fleets during the reign of Dom Manuel to suppress this activity.
Despite their vigorous efforts, particularly during the early years of Dom João III’s reign, they were unable to stop this illicit trade.
2. Proposals and actual decision.
Cristóvão Jacques, one of his commanders, proposed immediate settlement of the land as an effective way to prevent the French trading posts from continuing to occupy and exploit the area.
João de Melo da Câmara, a descendant of settlers from the Azores and Madeira, made another proposal along the same lines.
The idea was adopted by the king in 1530 and supported by eminent Portuguese citizens living abroad, including the scholar Diogo de Gouveia and Doctor Simão Afonso. The king sent Martim Afonso de Sousa’s colonising expedition to Brazil.
3. Objectives of the expedition to Brazil
In fact, the expedition had a threefold task:
- Combat: French trading posts on the so-called ‘Brazilwood Coast’.
- Explore the coastline stretching from Maranhão to the River Plate.
- Establish more stable population centres than the previous timber-extraction trading posts, thereby granting them political and administrative status.
4. Powers and responsibilities of Martim Afonso
In order to fulfil his mission, the king granted Martim Afonso de Sousa extensive powers.
The first of the three royal letters — the first of the royal decrees intended for the expedition, signed in Castro Verde on 20 November 1530 — appointed him Captain-General of the armada and of all the lands he might encounter or discover.
Martim Afonso was granted full jurisdiction over the people who accompanied him, including those already present and those who would arrive later. He had the power and authority to exercise sole and joint authority in criminal and civil matters, and to impose sentences up to and including capital punishment without the possibility of appeal.
He could also establish settlements in the newly discovered lands within the area of conquest and demarcation defined by the Treaty of Tordesillas. He could take possession of these lands and appoint captains and governors in his name, delegating the respective powers to them.
The second royal charter granted him the power to appoint notaries and other necessary court officials for the purposes of taking possession of lands and dealing with matters of justice and governance in Brazil.
According to their merits, services, and qualities, the third royal charter granted the power to award land grants to those who brought settlers and to others who wished to live on the land. This allowed them to use and populate the land.
What were the Sesmarias?
A Sesmaria was a land grant, or royal charter, issued by the Crown to encourage settlement and agricultural development.
key features
- Purpose: To encourage the cultivation and effective use of vacant land.
- Beneficiaries: individuals — such as navigators, settlers, military personnel and relatives of noblemen — chosen according to merit, service or ability to invest.
- Obligations: The grantee had to cultivate, fence or improve the land within the specified time limit. Failure to comply could result in the grantee losing the land grant.
- Legal regime: Initially, they were not absolute property; rather, they were royal concessions subject to limits and conditions established by the Crown.
- In the Brazilian context, it was a key instrument of Portuguese colonisation, contributing to the formation of large estates and the organisation of territorial occupation.
- Evolution: Over time, the regime was adapted, and in the 19th century it was replaced by new land laws, notably the Land Law of 1850, which reorganised property distribution and recognition.
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