Autograph letter signed : place of writing not specified, to [Anne Robert Jacques] Turgot, [1776]

Informing Turgot that he (i.e. Turgot) is unpopular in Paris right now and that it would be a good idea for improving how he is viewed by the public if he were named to the Academie Francaise to replace le Duc de Saint-Aignan [recently deceased]. M. de Malesherbes, after going to see M. de Maurepas, is going to speak to the king about appointing M. de la Harpe to the Academie, but if the king refuses, it would be good for Turgot to make himself known to M. de Saint-Lambert. In any case, Condorcet thinks Turgot is a better choice than Colardeau, who writes pleasant verses (and is a friend of Mademoiselle Verriere) but who has not much else to offer the Academie. Condorcet is certain that M. de Chabanon will not be chosen, either, nor will M. de Guibert or the Abbe Raynal.