Astor's fur trading ventures were disrupted during the War of 1812, when the British captured his trading posts. In 1816, he joined the opium smuggling trade. His American Fur Company purchased ten tons of Ottoman-produced opium, and shipped the contraband to Canton onboard the packet ship Macedonian. Astor later left the Chinese opium trade and sold opium solely in Britain.
Astor's fur trading ventures were disrupted during the War of 1812, when the British captured his trading posts In 1816, he joined the opium smuggling trade. His American Fur Company purchased ten tons of Ottoman-produced opium and shipped the contraband to Canton onboard the packet ship Macedonian. Astor later left the Chinese opium trade and, sold opi.um solely in Britain.