13. A French officer nearly revealed the entire scheme in November, 1776
In late 1776, Paris was inundated with officers soliciting commissions for service in America. Many of them idled in the cafes and salons of the city, gossiping over the ranks acquired and the means of traveling to the United States. Three ships of Hortalez et Cie were fully laden in Le Havre, awaiting a favorable wind to sail. Many such officers (including Major Coudray, who had accepted a general’s commission) spread the word around Paris that the ships were going to America. Vergennes had already informed Stormont that the vessels were bound for the West Indies. Embarrassment loomed for His Majesty.
When he arrived in Le Havre, Coudray, obviously proud of his new rank, informed Beaumarchais that he would command the expedition, including the decision of when and to whither it would sail. Beaumarchais refused to allow it and Coudray returned to Paris to demand the support of St. Germain. The ships could not sail until Coudray returned, and Beaumarchais protested his absence to Vergennes. Coudray was ordered to return to Le Havre, where he boarded one of the loaded transports, L’Amphtrite. Beaumarchais, triumphantly then attended rehearsals of The Barber of Seville in Le Havre, a play which he had written in 1773. It was nearly the undoing of the whole enterprise.