[5] In 1778, Cruzat was removed from office on the orders of Louisiana Governor Bernardo Galvez, and was replaced by Fernando de Leyba.

In September 1780, Francisco Cruzat was reappointed lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana after the death of Fernando de Leyba in June earlier that year.

[2][3] In 1789 he served as Interim Governor of East Florida, temporarily replacing an unwell Arturo O'Neill who had requested a leave of absence.

[1] There is little mention of Francois, and in Cruzat's first term as lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana, his daughter Josefa died while still a young child and was buried in the church cemetery.

[2][9] In May 1782, his wife and their two sons were captured by British allies near present-day Memphis, Tennessee while they were en route to St. Louis.