“Un cuento ruidoso”: confidencialidad, reputación y confianza en el comercio del siglo XVIII

Abstract

This article studies three concepts that had a fundamental impact upon the social and economic behaviour of the eighteenth-century merchant: confidentiality, reputation, and trust. The study is divided into three sections. Firstly, the three concepts are defined and analysed in the context of eighteenth-century trade, before moving on to a discussion on both the methodology and a collection of primary sources that may help to explore the daily operation of the three concepts. Finally, the third and more substantial part is devoted to the example of Juan de Eguino and his business trip to Viceroyal Lima; Eguino was a merchant established in Cádiz, that was forced to travel to Peru after he became convinced that his two Lima partners were cheating him.