16. Hortalez et Cie continued to ship military supplies to the colonies after the French entered the war
The French shell corporation continued to purchase and ship supplies to the Americans through the crucial summer of 1777 and the following year. In fact, Beaumarchais continued to play a role in supplying the Americans after the Treaty of Alliance was signed in February, 1778. France was not fully ready for war, having depleted its own armaments through its covert support of the Americans. Throughout the summer of 1777 ships of the company arrived in the West Indies and American ports with supplies for the Continental Army. Scholars have estimated up to 90% of the cannon ammunition and gunpowder used during the Saratoga campaign were provided by the French.
French recognition of the United States did not stem the tide of supplies. The machinery established by Beaumarchais was simply too efficient to replace. It provided a vehicle for payment, though little payment was made. Congress simply had no money. American crops were for the most part absorbed by the contending American and British armies, and its own population. Several French fortunes, large before the war, were exhausted by the long support of the American cause. In 1779, Vergennes convinced the Spanish to enter the war. The Dutch recognized the United States, but did not declare war. The port of St. Eustatius continued to operate as a free port, shipping French and Spanish munitions to America.