[380] Manuscripts of the Imperial Library (500 _de Colbert_, No. 235, fo. 86 _et seq._) This plan has been published by M. P. Clément almost entire in vol. i. p. 41, _et seq._, of his _Histoire de Colbert_, and entire by him in the introduction of vol. ii. of the _Lettres de Colbert_, and in his _Police sous Louis XIV._, p. 33, _et seq._ M. Chéruel has also reproduced it entire in Appendix No. vi. of vol. i. of his _Mémoires sur Nicolas Fouquet_, pp. 488-501. This plan is incontestably authentic, and Fouquet has never denied having written it. [381] All these facts are in great part proved by the plan, and by other papers found at Saint-Mandé, which are now in the Imperial Library. [382] _Mémoires sur Nicolas Fouquet_, pp. 367 to 386. [383] _Histoires de la Détention des Philosophes et des Gens de Lettres_, by Delort, vol. i. p. 21. CHAPTER XVI. Remark of Fouquet’s Mother--The Prisoner’s Piety--Danger which he escapes at Pignerol--Incessant Supervision over him at La Pérouse, near Pignerol--Excessive Scruples of Saint-Mars--Precautions prescribed by Louvois--Espionage exercised over Fouquet by his Servants and his Confessor--Illnesses of the Prisoner--He devotes himself entirely to Study and to religious Meditations--Works to which he gives himself up--His new Motto--Interest which he continues to take in all his Relations and in Louis XIV.--Saint-Mars’ laconic Answers. The fortitude with which Fouquet supported adversity has almost caused his contemporaries to forget how he had allowed himself to be blinded and led astray by prosperity. Without exhibiting this excessive indulgence, without going so far as to take the part of the victim against his judges, or to forget his errors and his faults, one cannot prevent oneself from owning that at Pignerol he nobly expiated them by his unceasing resignation, by his firmness and by the elevation of his sentiments.