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1776) the Island remained loyal to Great Britain, and was resorted to by ships of war and converted into a military station.

Efforts at Glancing back one hundred years (1663) we Colonization find Isle St. Jean with other islands granted by the Company of New France to Sieur Francois Donblet, a mariner of Honfleur. France. who with others, established fishing stations: but it was not until the Peace of Utretch, that the Island began to attract settlers, many of whom were Acadians from the ceded territory. The country, how— ever, still remained under French control, and French settlements sprang up. About 1715 the permanent peopling commenced, but colonization was slow, for in 1728 the population was only 300, and in 1745, it did not exceed 1000 souls. During the struggles between England and France. the Island received considerable additions to its population in the shape of French settlers from Cape Breton as well as from Bretagne, Picardy and Normandy; and after the expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia, in 1755, many of the refugees came to Isle St. Jean. The produce of these colonists—grains and beef—was in great demand for the fortresses of Louisburg and Quebec. Many plans were now suggested for the settlement of the country. In 1763 the Earl of Egmont, First Lord of the Admiralty, endeavoured to obtain a grant of the Island, and to hold the same in fee simple of the Crown. He proposed that it should be divided into 12 districts, ruled over by as many barons, and that he himself should be Lord in Chief of the whole Island—he was to introduce all the paraphernalia of the feudal system. His plans were set forth in a memorial to the King and were backed up by communications addressed to the Lords of Trades and Plantations and supported by distinguished military and other influential persons. The King referred the matter to the Board of Trade, but the Board in 1764 re— ported against the adoption of Egmont’s scheme and his proposal was rejected. In May 1768 Lieutenant Governor

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