Thome de Sousa, First Governor-General of Brazil (litho)

Thome de Sousa, First Governor-General of Brazil. Thome de Sousa was the first representative of Portuguese authority in Brazil. He founded the city of San Salvador in June 1549, which under his successful government became a prosperous city. About this time the Jesuits distinguished themselves, and by their zeal did more for Portuguese progress in Brazil than any force of arms, proving themselves of considerable aid to the governor-general in his administration of Bahia. De Sousa is depicted listening to the opinions of his Jesuit advisers in the matter of a dispute between a Portuguese settler and a native of Brazil. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.