For the Ottoman Empire, the French Revolution was a godsend,
since conflict between European powers could only weaken the states that were its traditional enemies.[131]
For Sultan Selim III, this was a golden opportunity to modernize, and achieve the "New Order" (Nizam-i Jedid).
He established permanent embassies in several European countries, and turned to France for help.[132]
Various experts were sent, and in 1795, French envoy extraordinaire Raymond de Verninac-Saint-Maur (fr)
attempted to establish a Treaty of Alliance.[133]
A young artillery officer by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte was also to be sent to Constantinople
in 1795 to help organize Ottoman artillery.
He did not go, for just days before he was to embark for the Near East
he proved himself useful to the Directory by putting down a Parisian mob in the whiff of grapeshot
and was kept in France.