Commercial desires in a web of interest: Dutch discourses on (self-)interest, 1600-1830

In 1778, the Dutch-Frisian nobleman Onno Zwier van Haren (Figure 6.1) gave his son Duco instructions for his future life in commerce. Duco had laid aside his aristocratic training in the military for a different line of service to his country, as a trader. According to his father, there was no shame in this career shift: No, Duco, there’s no need for shame That you, though trained in soldiery Play, in warehouses, a different game In equal service to our dear country. That you, of coffee, sugar, spice Help to determine the right price, Establish what place is most fit To grow the cotton. Better by far Than what you could do in the war. 1 Figure 6.1 Portrait of esquire, politician and author Onno Zwier van Haren, by Philippus Velijn (around 1800). A portrait of Onno Zwier van Haren https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003022749/efd8edc3-bd56-487f-a178-475ca1074f0b/content/fig6_1.tif” Source: Courtesy of Rijksmuseum Amsterdam RP-P-1911-2880.