Orange River Sovereignty, 1848

After British forces had annexed the Republic of Natalia, most Boer “Voortrekkers” trekked northwest into an area named Transorangia, between the Orange and Vaal Rivers. The British appointed a Resident here in 1845, and his successor bought a farm, Bloemfontein, from a Griqua farmer to establish a capital. On 3 February 1848, the British proclaimed sovereignty over Transorangia, the Orange River Sovereignty. But in 1854, they relinquished control and recognised the independence of the Orange Free State, a Boer republic.