In 1790 he refused the post of caissier général of the Extraordinaire and proposed a ban on deputies occupying an executive post. Under the Reign of Terror he was imprisoned from 3 December 1793 to 13 August 1794 before resuming his post as deputy. Initially retiring from political life at the end of the session and setting up offices on place Vendôme, on 20 October 1793 he was elected by 237 out of 685 votes deputy for Seine to the Conseil des Anciens, sitting with the moderates. As at the first assembly, he produced several reports on financial matters, contributed to the adoption of the resolutions on payment of state goods and had the resolution banning British goods adopted. After the Coup of 18 Fructidor he bravely opposed the proscription of his Girondin colleagues, declaring that he had seen nothing in the evidence presented against them which could justify such a rigorous measure. He eloquently argued for those deported and their families before becoming secretary and president of the assembly.