In the year 1749, Edward Cornwallis was appointed as Governor of Nova Scotia. His first task was to establish a British settlement. Wanting a good access to the ocean he settled were today’s Halifax currently is. However, the Mi'kmaq aboriginal people already on Nova Scotia were opposed to a settlement at this particular spot. They made it clear by sending a letter to Governor Cornwallis. In October of 1749 he issued what is now known as the Scalping Proclamation. He would pay anyone that would kill Mi’kmaqs by them bringing in their scalps.