THE REVOLT OF THE t72X.liVZ)^;it‘,S' 
357 
Natal, after the loss of a great part of their number, treacherousl.y 
slaughtered by the Zulu chief, Dingaan. The Nngiish had re- 
peatedly refused to annex Natal, but after the Boers had l)een 
settled there for five }'ears and had set up a republic, the British 
took possession, and to escape them most of the Boers trekked 
again to the north of the Orange river, where man}" of their kins- 
folk had preceded them in 1836-’37. Repeated official declara- 
tions had been made that the Britisii dominion would not l»e 
extended to the northward of this river. Nevertheless, in 1848; 
British sovereignty was proclaimed over the region between the 
Orange river on the south and the Vaal on the north, practically 
the area now occupied by the Orange Free State. The Boers 
resisted the annexation; two of their number were hanged and 
the ])i’operty of other recalcitrants was confiscated. As early as 
1842 many Boers had entered the Transvaal. After the annex- 
ation of the country to the soutli, many more crossed the Vaal. 
In 1852 the population amounted to about 5,000 white families, 
and the independence of the Transvaal was acknowledged by 
England in the Sand River Convention. 
In 1877 the Transvaal was annexed by England on the ])lea 
that the weakness of the state was a menace to English in- 
terests.* But the unwillingness of the Boers to be Britisii sub- 
jects had not diminished, nor were they without grave reasons 
for dissatisfaction. It is acknowledged by men of all parties that 
the promises made by the English at the time of the annexation 
were not kept.t Late in 1880 the republican flag was again 
hoisted; war and the battle of Majuha hill followed, and in 1881 
the Transvaal was again acknowledged independent,* though 
with the reservation of British suzerainty. In 1884 the relation 
of the two countries was further modified by a convention, which 
is still in force. In this document the only substantial right re- 
served to Great Britain is that of ratifying treaties between the 
republic and foreign jiowers. 
An attempt has been made in the foregoing paragra))hs to 
show the origin of the hostility and distrust with which the 
Boers regard the English, hut it is not to he inferre<l that the 
♦ I'roclamaiion of annexation ami aiMre.<is of Sir T. Sliepatone. Tlie annexation was 
nominally provisional. In 1879 Sir Garnet Wolseley announced tliat it sliould continue 
“ forever.’" 
t .Mr Nixon write.s : “ Nor were any of the otlier promises which were expres.sed or 
implied at the time of the annexation carried out.” 
JThe Kffater part of tlie above historical notes are taken from MrG. McC. 'I'heid's 
History of .‘<outh Africa. 4 vols. Mr Theid is generally acknowledged to he a trust- 
worthy and impartial iiistorian. 
