Governor Martim Afonso de Sousa in Brazil

Leading colonists were given strips of land that extended from the Brazilian coast reaching into the interior. The landowners, often captains, settled colonists in their respective captaincies and were required to provide them with protection and justice. As the captaincies were independent, they were unable to defend themselves from foreign pirates. João III appointed a governor general with authority over the captaincies. De Sousa established his capital at São Salvador da Baia. He defeated French pirates in a naval engagement in the bay of Rio de Janeiro. De Sousa also intensified colonization and created stability in Brazil.