Rather than conduct trade individually, 16th century merchants formed

Guilds

Explanation:

The person who trades in the commodities produced by other people is known as merchant.They have existed since ancient times and in sixteenth century Europe they were called Koopmen and Meerseniers.

Koopman were global traders and traded goods over long distances, they also offered credit and finance  services, while meerseniers were local traders.

Medieval merchants used to trade in wine, food, fine cloth, perfumes, spices, wine and furs. The merchants used  to conduct trade through guilds, Guilds were groups and association of craftsmen. The guilds used to focus on specific trade such as tanner's guild and candle makers guild.

They had very important role in society as they provided ways to learn and pass down trade skills from one generation to other. Members of a society could rise in society through hard work.

im not sure its either a leader of a group of congresspeople or a person from a congressmans district

sorry im not sure