He, as did the three previous governors, spent much time supervising construction of the Castillo de San Marcos and other fortifications in the presidio of St. Augustine as well as defending Florida against incursions from the British to the north.
The alarm was raised in St. Augustine, and Cabrera ordered the inhabitants of the town to take shelter in the unfinished Castillo de San Marcos, and sent ninety soldiers to engage the pirates.
Captain de León intended to attack Charles Town but a sudden storm arose, forcing the Spanish to return to St.
[10][11][12] Cabrera assigned Marcos Delgado to lead a troop of 13 soldiers and 40 Indians to explore and observe the territory between San Luis de Apalache and the river and bay of Espíritu Santo.
[13][14] Cabrera's administration negatively impacted and abused the Indigenous peoples of the province as well as criollos, Christian natives, widows, Mexicans, and Cubans, causing the Franciscans to protest vociferously against the governor, leading to his arrest by the Crown.