The Qualities of an Honest Merchant by Count Otto Thott, 1735

In 1735, the young Danish nobleman Count Otto Thott wrote a report, a so-called promemoria, about the economic status and challenges of the Oldenburg Monarchy, especially Denmark and Norway.

Titled Allerunderdanigste uforgribelige Tanker om Commerciens Telstand og Opkomst or “Most humble and personal thoughts about the condition and growth of business”, the report gives an overview of the state of farming, of production and of trade in Denmark and Norway, along with several recommendations for improvement.