During the British invasions of the Río de la Plata in 1806 he fought as captain of the 1st Patricians' Infantry Regiment.

He was part of the group of moderates which wanted the Cabildo to assume command of the government during the Napoleonic invasion of Spain, only to return it later to the Spanish Crown.

He reported to the government of Buenos Aires since the people of Salta flew the modern flag of Argentina during the third commemoration of the May Revolution.

Between 1814 and 1816 he was in charge of provisioning the Auxiliary Army of Upper Peru; In 1817 he was politically opposed by the Supreme director Juan Martín de Pueyrredón and was exiled to Baltimore in the United States of America.

Finally, in 1819, retaining his rank of colonel, he was ordered on his last mission, to negotiate peace with the native tribe of the Ranquel.