<P> Unable to abolish the duties on the passage of goods from province to province, he did what he could to induce the provinces to equalise them . Currency exchange rates still remained between these provinces despite a policy focusing on the unification of French trade . His régime improved roads and canals . Pierre Paul Riquet (1604--1680) planned and constructed the Canal du Midi under Colbert's patronage . </P> <P> To encourage overseas trade with the Levant, Senegal, Guinea and other places, Colbert granted privileges to companies, but, like the noted French East India Company, all proved unsuccessful . </P> <P> Colbert took much interest in art and literature . He possessed a remarkably fine private library, which he delighted to fill with valuable manuscripts from every part of Europe and the Near East where France had placed a consul . He employed Pierre de Carcavi and Étienne Baluze as librarians . Colbert's grandson sold the manuscript collection in 1732 to the Bibliothèque Royale . </P> <P> Colbert founded a number of institutions: </P>

Who is credited with being the chief architect of french mercantilism