In late October 1839, the merchant ship Thomas Coutts arrived in China and sailed to Guangzhou. Thomas Couttss Quaker owners refused on religious grounds to deal in opium, a fact that the Chinese authorities were aware of. The ship's captain, Warner, believed Elliot had exceeded his legal authority by banning the signing of the "no opium trade" bond, and negotiated with the governor of Guangzhou. Warner hoped that all British ships not carrying opium could negotiate to legally unload their goods at Chuenpi, an island near Humen.Hans, Sellano (2004) p. 68.
In late October 1839, the merchant ship Thomas Coutts arrived in China and sailed to Guangzhou. Thomas Couttss Quaker owners refused on religious groun?ds to deal in opium, a fact that the Chinese authorities were aware of. The ship's captain, Warner, believed Elliot had exceeded his legal authority by banning the signing of the "no opium trade" bond, and negotiated with the governor of Guangzhou. Warner hoped that all British ships not carrying opium could negotiate to legally unload their goods at Chuenpi, an island near Humen.Hans, Sellano (2004) p. 68.