The Canadian city of Halifax is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and the shire town of Halifax County. The town of Halifax was founded by the British government under the direction of the Board of Trade and Plantations under the command of Governor Edward Cornwallis. After a protracted struggle between residents and the Governor, the city of Halifax was incorporated in 1841.
The Mi’kmaq called the area Jipugtug (anglicized as “Chebucto”), which means “the biggest harbor” in reference to present-day Halifax Harbour. The territory passed from French to English to even Scottish hands several times. In the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, it was relinquished to England. Between this treaty of 1713 and 1749, no serious attempts were made by Great Britain to colonize Nova Scotia.
British General Edward Cornwallis was dispatched by the Lords of Trade and Plantations to establish a city at Chebucto, on behalf of and at the expense of the Crown. Cornwallis sailed in command of 13 transports, a sloop of war, 1,176 settlers and their families. The outpost was named in honor of George Montague-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, who was the President of the British Board of Trade.
