On the outbreak of the French Revolution he very naturally took a Republican stance. In 1790, he became second officer aboard the "Prudence". In 1790, he was promoted captain ("capitaine de vaisseau") and received the command of the "Audacieux" (80) in the first great fleet collected by the Republic. In the same year (1793) he was promoted to rear-admiral, and command the Second Squadron of the fleet in Brest, which fought the Battle of the First of June (1794) against Lord Howe.