Some time before 1679 Bayly proposed making Charlton Island a central depot and meeting place for the three posts around James Bay.

After the Hudson Bay expedition (1686) the French planned to send their prisoners there.

About 1802 the North West Company acquired the brig Eddystone, and placed it under Captain Richards, a former Hudson's Bay Company man, and John George McTavish, the younger brother of the Chief of Clan McTavish.

At the same time a force under Angus Shaw left the Tadoussac area for James Bay.

The purpose, in part, was to pressure the HBC into granting the NWC transit rights through Hudson Bay.