Expédition was originally a British civilian 16-gun cutter, either a merchantman or a privateer, that the French captured in July 1778.

Off Isle de France, she encountered a strange sail, that she chased under a British false flag.

Bethsy attempted to flee and seeing her pursuer gaining on him, Roche destroyed letters from Suffren before realising the mistake.

[3] In April 1782, Expédition was to carry despatches from Navy Minister Castrie and from Bussy-Castelnau to the squadron under Suffren near Nagapattinam.

She arrived on the Indian coast and called Tharangambadi, but instead of continuing directly, she started preying on Paraiyar merchantmen.