On 30 March 1799, Benjamin Stoddert ordered Howland & Allyn Naval Agency from New London, Connecticut, the construction of a 360-ton ship with no more than 18 guns, but big enough to carry supplies for 6 months of sailing and a crew of 120 men.

[5] On 3 August, while off Jeremie in Saint-Domingue (future Haiti), Captain David Jewett and Trumbull captured the French privateer schooner Vengeance.

The refugees were mostly gens de couleur libres (also known as mulattos), 60-70 of those were Officers, including D'Artignave, Commandant of Jeremie, an Adjutant General, and Riguad's staff escaping the forces of Toussaint Louverture who had defeated André Rigaud's army in the War of Knives.

Following the end of hostilities with France as a result of the Treaty of Mortefontaine, Trumbull returned to the United States about 20 March 1801,[14] where her crew was paid off.

In a letter dated 20 February 1801 to Josiah Parker, chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, Navy Secretary Stoddert recommended selling her.