Merchants [ Commerce ]
… stressed either their own honorable intentions toward others or their expectation that others should act in an honourable fashion towards them. Honour functioned here as an ‘antidote to risk’. 16 A merchant’s credit concerned his ability to manage capital but was … based on commercial connections forged through networks, reputations, and friendships, where estimations of a person’s honour could be made. Making good social connections was therefore central to making good financial decisions, …
Commerce | Merchants | Middling sort | North America | Politeness
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