VIALE, Agostinho (ve-ah'-lay), Brazilian explorer, born in Sao Paulo about 1620; died in the Aymores country in 1667. In 1664 he was named by Afonso VI. administrator-general of the mines in Brazil, with power to pardon all offenders that had sought a refuge in the forests. The general belief, since justified, was that rich mines existed in the interior of Brazil, and the government, intending to make use of the geographical knowledge that had been obtained by the outlaws during their wandering through the forests, had decided to win their services by the offer of a complete pardon. Viale left Sao Paulo at the head of 50 soldiers and 150 Indians, and entered the vast forests of the province of Matto Grosso, but, after journeying with great difficulties for thirteen months through the territory of the warlike Aymores, he wrote to Sao Paulo in 1666 for re-enforcements, announcing that he soon hoped to reach the much-talked-of emerald mines. He was joined by a few more soldiers, and, resuming the march, entered marshes where the greater part of his host died from malarial fever, and Viale fell a victim to the disease just in sight of the Serra das Esmeraldas. His lieutenant, Barbalho Bezena, brought back the remnants of the expedition to Sao Paulo. Viale's journey afforded some knowledge of the vast countries of the interior.