The return of Martim Afonso de Sousa to Portugal
A brief account of Martim Afonso’s return to Portugal after completing his work in São Vicente, covering royal decisions and appointments, as well as the journey back.

1. Context in São Vicente
Viagem de Martim Afonso ao Brasil (1530–1532) — Regresso de Martim Afonso
Martim Afonso continued his colonising work in São Vicente. As well as exploiting the land, he sent another expedition into the interior to search for the previous one, from which no news had ever been received.

2. Letter from King John III.
In September 1532, Dom João III wrote to him, via João de Sousa, leaving it up to him to choose whether to remain in the New World or return to Portugal, where preparations were underway to divide Brazil into hereditary captaincies.

3. Decisions and appointments
Martim Afonso de Sousa decided to return to Portugal, leaving Father Gonçalo Monteiro in charge of São Vicente and appointing João Ramalho captain-major of the area.

4. Return journey to Portugal.
He set sail in March 1533. All that is known is that he landed in the Azores and arrived in Lisbon in August of the same year, after spending more than two and a half years faithfully carrying out his mission of coastguard duty, exploration and colonisation.

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