During the War of American Independence, Beaulieu served in the Indian Ocean in a squadron under Rear-Admiral Thomas d'Estienne d'Orves.
[2] On 9 February 1782, Estienne d'Orves died and Suffren assumed command of the squadron.
He re-appointed his captains and gave Beaulieu command of the frigate Bellone.
[3] In July 1782, in the wake of the Battle of Negapatam, Suffren transferred Saint-Félix to Artésien[Note 1] and replaced him with Beaulieu.
However, Beaulieu commanded Bellone again at the Battle of Trincomalee, while Brillant was under Lieutenant de Kersauson.