Captain James Colnett was recruited by a trade consortium which included John Mears, to trade for furs on the Northwest coast of the Americas in 1789. He was appointed as in command of the ships which were engaged in this venture. He sailed from Macao in the Argonaut, arriving on the Northwest coast in July of 1789. He soon encountered problems with Spanish forces at Nootka Bay and saw a portion of his force held by the Spanish. Colnett himself was released by the the Spanish and continued trading, then sailed to Hawaii, and on to Macao. Colnett was a bit full of himself, placed much importance on his mission, was not particularly a great diplomat, but otherwise conducted his voyage sucessfully.