There was a similar opposition during the 1799 election of delegates to the Buenos Aires Cabildo: Castelli was elected as third "Regidor", but was rejected by merchants associated with the port of Cádiz. The conflict lasted a year, until the prominent local merchant Cornelio Saavedra wrote a memorandum recommending Castelli. Viceroy Avilés finally confirmed him in office by royal decree, in May 1800. Castelli, however, rejected the post because of his high workload in the consulate. This was seen as an insult by peninsular merchants such as Martín de Álzaga, who was influential in the Cabildo.