December 1775 the American colonies are in open rebellion.

As Patriot leaders plot efforts to secure independence from British rule. Nations elsewhere position themselves politically.

France considers supporting the Americans.

Though they are wary of backing a successful revolution for fear of inciting one at home.

This would be sweet revenge for their losses to the British in the French and Indian War

a decade earlier.

A spy with an extraordinary name.

Julianne Alexander Archo de Bon Valois

meets with a secret committee of revolutionaries

at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia,

where the first Continental Congress

had convened in the previous year.

For the Americans, the stakes couldn't be higher.

They need guns, ammunition, naval support, soldiers, and uniforms. Without French support, the American venture

will be for naught.

As it happens in Bonvalois, they have encountered an unexpected ally.

After three clandestine meetings, he will write enthusiastically back to France, raving about the American

cause and determination, even greatly exaggerating their resources and

numbers of available troops. His faulty intelligence would go far in tipping the

balance at the French court and supplies and support would be forthcoming.

In the following years of desperate conflict, the alliance with the French would prove to be

the deciding factor between American surrender and victory.

...