Liverpool. Even the noted presence of the Irish firm Greg & Cunningham in the network visualisation reveals, upon further research, that the representative based in New York was the much younger and inexperienced Waddell Cunningham. From the presence of these wealthy firms, one can assess that the Liverpool trading community was relatively closed. On the other hand, many of the New York firms appear to be smaller even though they are connected to some of the most well-known firms in Liverpool which indicates there was more available opportunity for these firms in New York. Further research conducted by historians of New York trade suggests these merchants exercised more economic freedom than they were officially allowed by the Navigation Acts and often engaged in trade with restricted ports and nations. This seemed to be the case particularly in the West Indies where many traded with French, Spanish, Dutch and Danish islands. Therefore, it appears that there was more available opportunity for New York merchants in all trades and thus they may have acted as official links for British merchants into restricted markets. In terms of the relationships that can be viewed within the network visualisation, one can see the presence of clusters of merchant firms; in particular, the cluster comprising the Beekman and Greg & Cunningham firms. From this, it can be assumed that these firms had close relationships, sharing business contacts and perhaps participating in similar trades. This is verified through primary source material, which indicates that both firms invested heavily in the Irish trades and shared correspondents in Belfast, Liverpool and New York as well as various other ports. In this case, despite what could be construed as a dense network cluster, the flexibility and network activity of the firms was not constrained. In fact, it appears that this clustering within this network allowed these merchants to share resources and information which benefited their businesses. The great benefits obtained from the members of this particular cluster were obtained
Liverpool. Even the noted presence of the Irish firm Greg & Cunningham in the network visualisation reveals, upon further research, that the representative based in New York was the much younger and inexperienced Waddell Cunningham. From the presence of these wealthy firms, one can assess that the Liverpool trading community was relatively closed. On the other hand, many of the New York firms appear to be smaller even though they are connected to some of the most well-known firms in Liverpool which indicates there was more available opportunity for these firms in New York. Further research conducted by historians of New York trade suggests these merchants exercised more economic freedom than they were officially allowed by the Navigation Acts and often engaged in trade with restricted ports and nations. This seemed to be the case particularly in the West Indies where many traded with French, Spanish, Dutch and Danish islands. Therefore, it appears that there was more available opportunity for New York merchants in all trades and thus they may have acted as official links for British merchants into restricted markets. In terms of the relationships that can be viewed within the network visualisation, one can see the presence of clusters of merchant firms; in particular, the cluster comprising the Beekman and Greg & Cunningham firms. From this, it can be assumed that these firms had close relationships, sharing business contacts and perhaps participating in similar trades. This is verified through primary source material, which indicates that both firms invested heavily in the Irish trades and shared correspondents in Belfast, Liverpool and New York as well as various other ports. In this case, despite what could be construed as a dense network cluster, the flexibility and network activity of the firms was not constrained. In fact, it appears that this clustering within this network allowed these merchants to share resources and information which benefited their businesses. The great benefits obtained from the members of this particular cluster were obtained