1536, the French explorer Jacques Cartier claimed the islands as a possession of France. Though already frequented by the Mi'kmaq and by Basque and Breton fishermen, the islands were not permanently settled until the end of the 17th century: four permanent inhabitants were counted in 1670, and 22 in 1691.

In 1670, during Jean Talon's second tenure as Intendant of New France, a