The Academy has appointed us, M. Franklin, M. Le Roy, M. le Marquis de Condorcet, and myself, to report on M. de la Blancherie's plan for a universal correspondence, on the sciences, literature, and the arts, and on the lives of men of letters and artists of every country. The details of this should be henceforth published, every two weeks, under the title of News of the Republic of Letters and the Arts. We carefully studied the plan and the means of execution that M. de la Blancherie proposed. We attended weekly meetings, under the name of the Rendez-vous of the Republic of Letters; at these meetings, we witnessed scholars, artists, and amateurs from almost every country in Europe. In his records, we saw proof of a correspondence that could not have been established without much time and trouble, and we were witness to a rare activity and enthusiasm, which can only be very useful for the progress of the Sciences and Arts.

This assembly, which is open to all distinguished travelers, scholars, men of letters, artists, and amateurs worthy of the name, offers an interesting center for meetings and communication. Some find the means there to get all the profit and enjoyment they could want from their travels, either to Paris and in France, or to other countries where M. de la Blancherie has established a correspondence. Others benefit by extending their knowledge of the state of the Sciences and the Arts in foreign countries, either by the travelers they meet, or by M. de la Blancherie's relations. The assembly's publications on different subjects, from France as well as elsewhere, give rise to equally profitable discussions. Credit should be given to M. de la Blancherie, that according to his plan, as General Agent for scholars, men of letters, artists, and distinguished foreigners, he has already deserved their recognition on several occasions. The more encouragement he receives, the more useful he will become to French and foreigners alike, to whom he wishes to spare the difficulties of a correspondence for which many men of letters are poorly suited. Such activity exhausts others, and makes them lose a great deal of time, for lack of having at their disposal the means, the connections, and the funds which M. de la Blancherie has been able to procure.

This correspondence cannot be encouraged enough; it is one of the principal means of accelerating the progress of human knowledge. Consequently we believe that M. de la Blancherie's project deserves support, and that the Academy can only witness the success of this establishment with pleasure. Pronounced in Paris at the Assembly of the Académie Royale des Sciences, May 23, 1778.