The supercargo, a major figure in Marseille transoceanic trade with Asia (1771-1793)

Abstract

This article focuses on the figure of the supercargo through the group of those who took on this role during travels to Asia in the last third of the 18th century on behalf of Marseille merchants and ship-owners. Until now, this embarked on ship agent and commissioner has never been the subject of specific studies, even though he was the soul of these commercial maritime expeditions and the profits they generated. After defining the function and presenting the texts that governed it, this research analyses the difficulties of supercargo work, whose activity was marked by a permanent tension between the particular instructions he received before the ship departure and the general objective of acting, during the voyage, to the best advantage of those who entrusted him with their interests. As the matter of fact the on-the-ground reality business often forced them to make choices contrary to the orders they received previously from the merchants and ship-owners. This text also seeks to draw up a group portrait of these men and to evaluate the extent of their remuneration. Finally, this work attempts to explain how these supercargos managed to take advantage of their function to become true businessmen, nevertheless without joining the upper echelon of the local community of merchants.