The answer to your question is really simple. If the Portuguese could not trade by land, they wanted to find an alternative route to Asia - WATER! Therefore, that's when the Exploration Age began. The Portuguese wanted to discover a water route to India and the West Indies to trade for spices. You will see that explorers like Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias were famous navigators that attempted to do that.
He thought it was weak and that it was quite possible to develop a profitable trade with Mexico. His comments stirred businessmen and politicians to consider expanding into Texas.
A Spaniard who was entrusted with all the Indians who lived in a particular village or region was given the title of "Encomendero," although it should be noted that the protected of the Natives was far from assured. <span />
