La Forte collection, 1784-1797.
Collection Number: 4711
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
La Forte collection, 1784-1797.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
4711
Abstract:
Letters, receipts, and other documents addressed to or received from officials in
the Régie des poudres et salpêtres in Paris and the departments and districts of France, and saltpeter manufacturers,
chiefly relating to gunpowder production. Other topics covered include Parisian politics,
the state of the French economy, the shift to paper currency, and dissatisfaction
among the workers.
Creator:
La Forte, Benoist, 1761-
Chaptal, Jean-Antoine-Claude, comte de Chanteloup, 1756-1832.
Fourcroy, Antoine-François de, comte, 1755-1809.
Lavoisier, Antoine Laurent, 1743-1794.
Quanitities:
6.2 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in French.
Benoist La Forte was a government administrator in France's newly nationalized gunpowder
industry during the period of the Revolution. Born in Grenoble in 1761, he gave up
practicing law in 1784 in order to study the manufacture of gunpowder under the Commission
of gunpowder (Régie des poudres et salpêtres), the governmental body which had supplanted the private monopoly in 1775. Beginning
in 1786 La Forte held a series of government posts: he served briefly as comptroller
for the département of Montpellier, and then as commissaire at Clermont-Ferrand, a post he held through July 1787. In August of that year he
was named commissaire des poudres et salpêtres for La Rochelle, remaining there until November 1793, when the Régie des poudres and the Comité de Salut Public appointed him Inspector and then, in An III, Inspector General for Vaucluse and neighboring départements. La Forte's promotion to Inspector occurred around the same time that the Régie, renamed l'Agence des poudres et salpêtres, was undergoing substantial reforms in order to meet the demands of the Revolution
and the European war. On December 4, 1793, the National Convention, on the recommendation
of the Comité de Salut Public, inaugurated a program of highly regulated de-centralization which required all Frenchmen
to participate in the production of gunpowder according to fixed guidelines. The recently-annexed
territory that became the département of Vaucluse in 1793, rich in saltpetre and furnished with several functional powder
mills, promised to be an especially exploitable area of France, and La Forte, apparently
a valued administrator, was named inspector for Vaucluse and given wide-ranging powers,
which increased in the following year. La Forte remained Inspector General until May
1797 when, despite the protests of his superiors, he resigned his post.
The La Forte Collection contains correspondence, instructional material, technical
drawings, financial records and other official documents drawn from the archives of
Benoist La Forte, commissaire and then Inspector General for the French Ministry of Gunpowder. The more than 3,000
items in the collection span the period from 1784 to 1797, thus documenting the entirety
of La Forte's training and administrative career with the Régie des poudres et salpêtres. There is a small number of printed items, and a good portion of the incoming correspondence
appears on paper with French Revolution letterhead. The contents of the collection
are arranged into three broad categories: general documents and manuscripts dating
from 1784 to 1797; correspondence from 1786 to 1793; and correspondence from 1793
to 1797. There is in addition some earlier correspondence from previous occupants
of La Forte's positions. Most of the pieces in the collection date from 1793-1797,
a period of rapid reform and expansion in French gunpowder manufacture during which
La Forte was Inspector for Vaucluse. Well-known figures whose names appear in the
collection include Antoine François de Fourcroy, and noted chemists Antoine Laurent
Lavoisier and Jean Antoine Claude Chaptal de Chanteloup.
Among the more general material there are documents concerning La Forte, such as
his letters of appointment, commissions, etc.; a chemistry textbook from 1785 and
notes -- from La Forte's years as a student and beyond -- on various aspects of the
science and technology of gunpowder manufacture; and a set of instructions, disseminated
throughout France, for Inspectors of gunpowder and saltpetre, probably composed by
Lavoisier and addressing every aspect of the manufacturing process.
A detailed record of La Forte's administration is provided by summaries of its operations
submitted annually to the Régie for the years 1787 to 1797. These reports gather together correspondence to and from
the Régie, financial records, inventories, estimates for new construction, etc. Complementing
this archive is a series of annual accounts, many signed by Lavoisier, and receipts
from the Régie.
Chief correspondents include the Régie des poudres et salpêtres at the central office in Paris, headed by Lavoisier and four other régisseurs (the Régie became l'Agence des poudres et salpêtres in 1794); the Comité de Salut Public, for a time the chief executive organ of the revolutionary government; the Representants du Peuple, who were members of the National Assembly; government agents; government-appointed
instructors who were often the leading chemists of France; local administrators, writing
from all parts of France; and the salt and saltpetre workers (saliniers and salpêtriers) representing the lowest ranks of the gunpowder industry. Many of these functionaries
were expedient, transiently powerful creations of the revolutionary government, concerned
with shoring up support for the new republic, and enforcing the observation of revolutionary
legislation during a time of war.
Topics covered include: methods of gunpowder manufacture; technological improvements
and administrative reform; results of production; stimulating production; accounts;
problems procuring raw materials (especially saltpetre and combustibles) and equipment;
fixing the price of saltpetre; the construction of factories, refineries and workshops;
abuses, such as the clandestine production and private sale of saltpetre; accidents;
the effect of the Revolution on industry (including revolutionary surveillance and
opposition to revolutionary legislation); Parisian politics; the French economy; the
shift to paper currency; workers' salaries; and dissatisfaction among the workers.
Correspondence from the workers themselves, of which there is a substantial amount,
provides information about local administration, conditions in the workshops, the
effects of inflation on workers and production, and the various technical and logistical
problems encountered from day to day.
Jean V. Callahan January 22, 1996
(Compiled with the aid of French Books and Manuscripts: 1700-1830, An Exhibition and Description of Collections
in Cornell University Library honoring Arthur H. and Mary Marden Dean. Ithaca: Cornell University Library, 1981.)
The guide to the La Forte Collection was produced with funding provided by the United
States Department of Education grant Title II-C, "Strengthening Research Library Resources";
The French Revolution Collections at Cornell University: a Retrospective Conversion
and Preservation Project.
PROVENANCE
The La Forte Collection was purchased from the bookseller Lucien Scheler of Paris
in 1967 with the help of a donation by Arthur Dean.
The La Forte Collection acquires added interest from its relationship to the Lavoisier
Collection and Lavoisier Manuscripts Collection in the History of Science Collections.
Lavoisier's connection to the salpetre industry is described briefly by Denis I. Duveen
and H.S. Klickstein in their A Bibliography of Antoine Laurent Lavoisier, London, 1954, pp. 219-231. Other related materials at Cornell are held in the French
Revolution Collection, Ben Grauer Collection, Maurepas Collection, Lafayette Collection,
and the general collection in the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collection.
Series I. General Manuscripts and Documents | Boxes 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10 |
Series II. Correspondence from 1786 to 1793 | Box 1 |
Series III. Correspondence from An II (1793/1794) to An V (1796/1797) | Boxes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
Series IV. Miscellaneous Documents | Boxes 4, 6 |
The bookseller's description of the collection, which forms the core of this guide,
is available at the Reference Desk. Please contact ref@cornell.edu
INFORMATION FOR USERS
La Forte collection, #4711. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University
Library.
The La Forte Collection was purchased from the bookseller Lucien Scheler of Paris
in 1967 with the help of a donation by Arthur Dean.
Names:
Chaptal, Jean-Antoine-Claude, comte de Chanteloup, 1756-1832.
Fourcroy, Antoine-François de, comte, 1755-1809.
Lavoisier, Antoine Laurent, 1743-1794.
La Forte, Benoist, 1761-
France. Régie des poudres et salpêtres
France. Armée -- : Ordnance and ordnance stores.
Places:
Paris (France) -- Politics and government.
France -- Economic conditions -- 18th century.
France -- Politics and government -- 1774-1793.
France -- Politics and government -- 1789-1799.
France -- History -- Louis XVI, 1774-1793.
France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799.
Subjects:
Gunpowder.
Saltpeter.
Ordnance.
Local government -- France.
Finance, Public -- France -- History.
Assignats.
Paper money -- France.
Currency question -- France.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Series I. General Manuscripts and Documents
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 3 |
Documents Concernant l'Inspectuer Benoist La Forte
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 7 |
Instruction pour l'Inspection Générale
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 8 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 9 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 10 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 3 | Folder 1 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 3 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 4 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 5 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 7 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 8 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 9 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 8 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 9 |
Archives de M. de La Forte, Commissaire Puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Récépissés de la Régie des Poudres
|
|
Box 3d | Folder [4] |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
Année 1787
|
|
Box 3d | Folder [3] |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
Année 1788
|
|
Box 3c | Folder [1] |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
Année 1789
|
|
Box 3c | Folder [2] |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
Année 1790
|
|
Box 3c | Folder [5] |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
Année 1791
|
|
Box 3c | Folder [7] |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
Année 1792
|
|
Box 3d | Folder [6] |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
Année 1793
|
|
Box 9a | Folder 1 (oversize) |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
An II
|
|
Box 9b | Folder 2 |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
An III
|
|
Box 10a |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
An IV
|
||
Box 10b (oversize) |
Archives Comptables de M. de La Forte Commissaire, puis Inspecteur Général des Poudres:
An V
|
||
Box 1 | Folder 4 |
Le Comité de Salut Public et la Fabrication des Poudres et Salpêtres Principalement
Avignon
|
|
Series II. Correspondence from 1786 to 1793
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Correspondance avec la Ragie des Poudres
|
|
Series III. Correspondence from An II (1793/1794) to An V (1796/1797)
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 5 |
Correspondance avec le Comité de Salut Public
|
|
Box 4 | Folder 6 |
Correspondance avec l'Agence et les Regisseurs des Salpêtres et Poudres
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 1 |
Correspondance avec les Représentants du Peuple en Mission
|
|
Box 4 | Folder 7-14 |
Correspondance avec les Commissaires des Poudres et Salpêtres
|
|
Box 4 | Folder 3 |
Correspondance avec les Administrations des Départements
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 4 |
Correspondance avec les Commissaires du Directoire Exécutif près les Communes
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 5 |
Correspondance avec les Commissaires du Directoire Exécutif
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 3 |
Correspondance des Administrations des Districts
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 1-2 |
Correspondance avec les Agents Nationaux près les Districts
|
|
Box 3 | Folder 2-5 |
Correspondance avec les Communes
|
|
Box 3 | Folder 6 |
Correspondance avec les Municipalités et les Corps Constitués
|
|
Box 4 | Folder 5 |
Correspondance de l'Inspecteur Général La Forte avec la Municipalité d'Avignon Relativement
Diverses Fournitures
|
|
Box 4 | Folder 1-2 |
Correspondance avec les Prbposés Instructeurs de l'Agence des Poudres et Salpêtres
|
|
Box 5 | Folder 1-28 |
Correspondance avec l'Agence des Salpêtres et Poudres et les Agents Salpêtriers des
Départements
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 6 |
Correspondance avec les Agents Salpêtriers des Départements
|
|
Box 8 | Folder 1 |
Correspondance avec les Ouvriers et les Salpêtriers Commissionnés
|
|
Box 8 | Folder 3-4 |
Correspondance avec les Ouvriers et les Salpêtriers Commissionnés
|
|
Box 8 | Folder 2 |
Correspondance avec les Saliniers
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 7 |
Correspondance avec les Intéressés aux Mines de Saint-Bel et de Chessy
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 6 |
Correspondance avec les Receveurs de District
|
|
Box 7 | Folder 7 |
Correspondance avec Divers An II- An V
|
|
Series IV. Miscellaneous Documents
|
|||
Box 4 | Folder 4 |
Pièces Relatives la Fourniture du Pain et des Rations aux Ouvriers de la Manufacture
des Poudres et Salpêtres d'Avignon
|
|
Box 6 | Folder 2 |
Pièces Diverses An II- An III
|