In 1778, he joined the Navy as a Garde-Marine. He served on the frigates "Fox" and "Concorde", taking part in the Battle of Fort Royal on 29 April and 30 April 1781, in the Invasion of Tobago in May–June, in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September, in the Battle of Saint Kitts on 25 January 1782, and in the Battle of the Saintes on 12 April 1782. He was promoted to Ensign in November 1781.