He arrived in the Portuguese colony of Brazil in the year of 1531[2] with Martim Afonso de Sousa, the founder of the Captaincy of São Vicente.

He was responsible for the transference of the harbor from Ponta da Praia to the city center, in the environs of Outeiro de Santa Catarina.

In 1551, was named by John III of Portugal, the Provider and Accountant of the Incomes and Rights of the Captaincy; in the following year, he built the fort of São Filipe in the island of Santo Amaro.

Later, on the orders of the third general-governor Mem de Sá, he carried out expeditions through the interior in search of gold and silver.

His attempts to enslave the natives resulted in a revolt that ended up by determining the appearance of the Tamoio Confederation, that could only be partially contained by the action of the jesuits Manuel da Nóbrega and José de Anchieta.