 As a result of meritorious military service, he was made a knight of the Order of Santiago in 1770 and lieutenant general in the royal army in 1802.On July 26, 1802 he was appointed viceroy, governor and captain general of New Granada and president of the Royal "Audiencia" of Bogotá.On September 16, 1803 he presented his credentials to his predecessor, Pedro Mendinueta, in Bogotá, and received a lavish welcome