Portuguese discovery of the sea route to India of the "São Gabriel" and its sister ship, the "São Rafael" that were used by Vasco da Gama to sail past the Cape of Good Hope and continue to India. One of the sailors, Bartolomeu Dias passed the southernmost point of Africa known as the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. He declared it possible to travel to India by going around Africa. The Portuguese were then able to make an immense profit by using their own ships to retrieve the spices. This global expedition was launched on 8 July 1497. It concluded two years later with the entry of
Secret Convention on the Transfer of the Portuguese monarchy to Brazil the Portuguese borders through Spanish territory. Later, the Portuguese aspirations became reality with the support of the British navy during the transfer of the Portuguese court to Brazil, and Portugal complied to the British requirements by opening the Brazilian ports to their goods. Secret Convention on the Transfer of the Portuguese monarchy to Brazil The Secret Convention on the Transfer of the Portuguese monarchy to Brazil was an international treaty between Portugal and Britain on October 22, 1807, also called "secret Convention on the transfer to Brazil of the seat of the Portuguese monarchy and temporary occupation of Madeira Island