HALIFAX, the capital of the province of Nova Scotia in America, situated in W. Long. 64. 30. N. Lat. 44. 45. It was founded in 1749, in order to secure the British settlements there from the attempts of the French and Indians. It was divided into 35 squares, each containing 16 lots of 40 by 60 feet; one established church, and one meeting-house, and a small number of houses out of the regular streets, which are 65 feet broad. The town was surrounded by pickettings, and guarded by forts on the outside; but, since the commencement of the American troubles, it has been very strongly fortified. Along the river Chebucto, to the southward of the town, are buildings and fish-flakes for at least two miles, and to the northward on the river for about one mile. The plan, however, has been greatly improved by the earl of Halifax, who was the original contriver. The proclamation issued for this settlement, offered 50 acres of land to every soldier and sailor who would settle in that part of America, without paying any rent or doing any service for ten years, and no more than one shilling per annum for each 50 acres ever afterwards: to every soldier and sailor who had a wife and children, ten acres more were added for every individual of his family, and for every increase that should afterwards happen in the same proportion. To each subaltern officer, 80 acres, and 15 for each of his family; 200 acres to each ensign; 300 to each lieutenant; 400 to each captain; 600 to every officer in rank above a captain, and 30 for each of his family. The government also engaged to transport and maintain the new settlers for one year at its own expence, and to furnish them with such arms, provisions, utensils, implements, &c. as should be necessary to put them in a way to cultivate their lands, to build habitations, and to commence a fishery. The same conditions were likewise offered to all carpenters and other handicraftsmen; and surgeons were offered the same conditions with the ensigns.—This proclamation was published in March, and by the month of May 3700 persons had offered themselves. They accordingly embarked, and established themselves in the bay of Chebucto; calling their city Halifax, from the title of their patron. Before the end of October the same year, 350 comfortable wooden houses were built, and as many more during the winter.—The same year in which the settlers embarked, the government granted them 40,000l. for their expences. In 1750, they granted 57,582l. 17s. 3½d. for the same purpose; in 1751, 53,927l. 14s. 4d.; in 1752, 61,492l. 19s. 4½d.; in 1753, 94,615l. 12s. 4d.; in 1754, 58,447l. 2s.; and in 1755, 49,418l. 7s. 8d.