7. Hortalez et Cie acquired its own ships and crews
Getting the goods to the Americans required ships, and the French government could not allow war materials sent to the Americans in French warships. Nor could ships of the French East India company (nor those of the Dutch) be used, since they were connected to the governments of their respective countries. Hortalez at Cie acquired its own ships, which was accomplished via outright purchase or charter. Nor could the ships carry war materials to American ports. To do so was a violation of neutrality laws. Another neutral country was needed as a trading partner. It was provided by the Dutch.
War materials were shipped primarily to the Dutch port of St. Eustatius. Officially the Dutch colony was neutral in the war and could sell the materials to anyone. Unofficially, Hortalez et Cie established trading partners on the island, which acted as the broker between French and Spanish ships and those of the American colonies in rebellion. The port was also well defended by Fort Orange, a deterrent to British intervention. There were also no customs inspections, nor were duties charged in the free port established by the Dutch. During the American Revolution, almost half of the international assistance sent to support the American cause passed through St. Eustatius.