Shortly after being freed from prison, Antonelle sided with the National Convention during the insurrection of 13 Vendémiaire. After this, Antonelle largely retired from active political service to publish works on the theory behind the Revolution and on human rights. In November 1795, he became the editor in chief of "Bulletin politique", the official journal of the Directory. Antonelle was fired from the position after only ten days, and he moved on to become one of the principal contributors to the "Journal des hommes libres."