Jean-Baptiste de Ternant

Jean-Baptiste de Ternant served in the American Revolution before returning as a diplomat. He arrived at Valley Forge in 1778 and assisted Baron von Steuben with the Continental Army’s inspection and training system. After receiving a lieutenant-colonel’s commission, he worked with the southern army and helped negotiate Charleston’s surrender in 1780. His subsequent European service included the Dutch Patriot struggle and command of a French regiment. ¹

As French minister in 1791–93, Ternant sought American supplies for Saint-Domingue during the revolt of the enslaved population. On 20 November 1792, Jefferson noted that American advances had already continued for more than a year and authorized a further $40,000. He also warned that continued assistance required clearer approval from the French legislature. ²

Ternant also proposed an agreement against privateering. In October 1792, Jefferson replied favorably in principle but wanted to negotiate it together with commercial amendments and other rules intended to limit the harm of war. ²

The overthrow of the monarchy made his position increasingly precarious. Replaced by Genêt in 1793, Ternant remained in Philadelphia before returning to France in 1801. He avoided political employment under Napoleon and lived on pensions and investments. Ternant died in 1833, although older accounts gave 1816. He was distinct from the engineer Philbert-Jean Dubard de Ternant. ¹