James Hodgson began his career in 1817 as a general commission merchant working in Buenos Aires, although he was abroad at least as early as 1811. His talents were considerable, but he lacked both working capital and profitable contacts in the United Kingdom, a problem which was solved in 1818, when he went into partnership with Joseph Green of Liverpool, an old family friend. Green remained in England, and each of the partners retained control of operations at their end of the business.
By the time this partnership was dissolved in 1829, (apparently due to Green's dissatisfaction with Hodgson's tendency not to settle accounts on time, and his inability to keep his books up to date), James Hodgson had acquired experience, and an enviable reputation. He certainly had expert knowledge of South American trade and politics, and was one of few British merchants actually to speak Spanish.
He returned to the United Kingdom in 1929 to settle the affairs of the ex-partnership, and to attempt to expand his contacts abroad; this he did most successfully by undercutting the rates of commission offered by other Buenos Aires merchants. It was also at this time that he gained the business of Owen Owens and Son, for whom he was to act in Buenos Aires for the next fifteen years.
In 1830 Hodgson formed another partnership, with John Robinson, his former accountant, but this time both partners remained in Buenos Aires, and the business operated through manufacturer's agents.
The markets of South America provided great opportunities, especially for British textile manufacturers and merchants, at a time in which increased mechanisation had led to overproduction. British merchants imported textiles and light consumer goods to Argentina, and in return exported a smaller amount of raw produce, mainly wool, hides, tallow, and dried beef.
The merchant activity of the business expanded into investment in Argentine industry: in 1832, Hodgson and Robinson formed a partnership with Duncan Macnab and Duncan Stewart (British merchants) and Francisco Agell (an Argentine merchant) to conduct a meat storage and meat drying business.
The original partnership also owned several estancias or cattle ranches, which provided additional income to support mercantile activities, and decreased the need to buy produce from other suppliers. These ranches, named Tambito and Monsalvo, in the Rio Cuarto area of Cordoba province, were jointly owned by the partners and the Fielden Brothers, with whom Hodgson had a long and fruitful association.
This ownership of land also led, in the 1830s to Hodgson and Robinson gaining permission from the Argentine authorities to colonise their land in Cordoba province with European immigrants.
Hodgson, Robinson and Company was finally liquidated in 1844, and James Hodgson returned to Liverpool, still in business, and still owning a share in the Tambito ranch in Argentina.
James Hodgson was a skilled man, who, in common with most Buenos Aires merchants, also acted as a broker (in exchange, produce & shipping), an insurance agent, a salesman, and a political and economic commentator and news gatherer.
Hodgson, Robinson & Company operated profitably for so long in an unstable climate chiefly due to Hodgson's ingenuity; he was a clever speculator, with intimate knowledge of South American economics, and used innovative marketing techniques. A far-sighted man, he was also aware of the broad sweep of British trade and economics, rather than concentrating upon short-term profits like many of his contemporaries, and this alone was enough to make him a highly unusual man for his time.
