The positions included Corregidor of a Mexican province (1789), Governor-Intendant of Durango (Appointed by the Spanish monarchy; 1796–1809), and Military Commander of Texas (1809-1812).
[1] He was appointed the Governor of Texas in 1786, but he did not accept the position because he was busy in administrative roles in other places.
Fear of possible attacks on Texas from neighbouring Louisiana led Zapata to ask the Commanding General of the Provincias Internas (Interior Provinces) Nemesio Salcedo y Salcedo the strengthening of those Texas defence structures located between the two regions.
He also established "liberal reforms" on the orders of Charles III of Spain in the commerce sector, mainly in Texas.
[1] His death is disputed: he may have been murder by the soldiers of Costilla on December 2, 1812,[1] or he could have died much later, on 18 April 1833, with 93 years old.