I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but I have found a reference (from another comic opera) from 1829. In the book Revue de la musique dramatique en France by Félix Crozet (try Google Books), it says (page 289 - translation mine, sorry in advance for any clumsiness):

Pierre et Catherine, one act comic opera, music by Ad. Adam, performed on february 1829.
This was the first opera by Adolphe Adam. (...) The introduction: Sentinelle, prenez garde à vous, is well composed, and the chorus is well presented. (...)