In 1787, Cordero y Bustamante signed the peace with several Native American people of the zone: the Mimbreños (an Apaches tribe) and the Gilena.
In 1794, Bustamante returned to fight against the Mimbreños and Gilena peoples, who had attacked the Presidio of Janos, to submit them to the Spanish authority.
[1] In September 1805, during his administration in Texas, he came to San Antonio because he had received orders to strengthen several military posts in the Orcoquisas, Nacogdoches, and Los Adaes presidios.
[1] Cordero y Bustamante led troops in Nacogdoches to protect the frontier of Texas with Louisiana (which was a target of the American government, who wanted to occupy the region.
[1] Moreover, he fostered good relations between the soldiers and settlers with the Native Americans for protect the frontiers from foreign invasions.
[1] In this year, he finished his term, being replaced by Manuel María de Salcedo[1][2] (appointed governor of Texas on April 24[2]).
However, under a royal order, he had to continue living temporarily in Texas to help Salcedo in his new duties as governor and in the defense of the borders of the province.
Also, during this time, he planned to create settlement areas in Colorado, San Marcos de Reve, Brazos, Trinity, and the Guadalupe River.
According to him, the Spanish political and soldier was blond, his eyes were blue, his complexion was clear, and he was about five feet and ten inches tall.
As for his behavior, he believed that the military man had great confidence in himself and he was one of the most capable commanders on the Spanish Texas border.