This paper is based on manuscripts found in the Archives du service historique de la marine, Vincennes, France. Pierre-Alexandre-Laurent Forfait visited England in 1790 with his colleague Daniel Lescallier , and was much impressed by England's superior naval organization. He was persuaded that the only way to defeat the old enemy was by invasion, and for several years he tried to convince Bonaparte of the necessity for action. Forfait dedicated himself to the planning and organization of an invasion fleet which (...) was never used. In the Appendix, documents are reproduced to illustrate military plans and Bonaparte's relationship with Forfait; others throw light on life in the French ports during this turbulent period of history. (shrink)

Political difficulties and adverse working conditions during the Restoration period obliged many French scientists and technologists to seek employment elsewhere. Lamé and Clapeyron made the most of their years of exile, and in this paper their contribution to the development of Russian engineering is studied, together with their work for the future of French industry. Their scientific and technological research is also considered. Archival sources throw new light on the significance of their ten years in Russia.