Recommissioned in 1790 under Captain Robert Sutton, she sailed for the East Indies on 27 December. In the beginning of November 1791, "Minerva", Commodore William Cornwallis, accompanied by the 36-gun frigate "Phoenix", Captain Sir Richard Strachan, and , Captain Isaac Smith, was in the roads at Tellicherry, a fort and anchorage situated a few leagues south of Mangalore. "Phoenix" was ordered to stop and search the French frigate "Résolue", which was escorting a number of merchant ships believed to be carrying military supplies to support Tippu Sultan. "Résolue" resisted "Phoenix" and a brief fight ensued before "Résolue" struck her colours. The French captain insisted on considering his ship as a British prize, so Cornwallis ordered Strachan to tow her into Mahé and return her to the French commodore.