Teixeira’s expedition, after almost one year, reaches…
1638 CE
Teixeira’s expedition, after almost one year, reaches Quito in 1638 to a rousing reception.
The Spaniards of Peru afford the Portuguese explorers every hospitality, but they are nevertheless concerned to know how far the Portuguese have settled the Amazon.
Based on the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494, and the strength of the expedition of Francisco de Orellana, the Spanish consider the Amazon theirs.
Consequently, Teixeira and his party are detained several weeks in Quito whilst the Spanish authorities decide what to do.
In the end it is decided to send a party of Jesuit priests, headed by Cristóbal de Acuña, to accompany the Portuguese on their return journey and report all they observed.
Father Cristóbal is to present his report to the Royal Council of the Indies.