He had sided with Mirabeau, next with Vergniaud and the Girondins.

These he forsook in time for Danton, whose facile corruptibility made him a seductive patron.

He was a large purchaser in the sale of the emigrant property; he obtained a contract for the supply of the army in the Netherlands; he abandoned Danton as he had abandoned the Girondins, but without taking any active part in the after-proceedings of the Jacobins.
His next connection was with Tallien and Barras, and he enriched himself yet more under the Directory than he had done in the earlier stages of the Revolution.

Under cover of an appearance of bonhomie and good humour, a frank laugh and an open countenance, Jean Bellanger had always retained general popularity and good-will, and was one of those whom the policy of the First Consul led him to conciliate.

He had long since retired from the more vulgar departments of trade, but continued to flourish as an army contractor.