CHAPTER IV.

Birth of the Dutch Republics.

English Policy in South Africa During the Middle of the Century--Non-interference, no Expansion, Limitation of Responsibility--Brief Exception in the Case of the Orange River Boers--Annexation, in 1848, and Establishment as the Orange River Sovereignty--English Protection of the Boers Against the Natives--Rebellion of Pretorious and Defeat of the Dutch at Boomplaatz by Sir Harry Smith--A New Governor at the Cape and a Hastily Changed Policy--Independence of the Transvaal Boers Recognized in 1852--The Sand River Convention--English Campaign Against the Basutos in Defence of the Orange River Boers--Arrival of Sir George Clerk with Instructions to Withdraw British Authority from the Orange River Country--Protests of the Loyal Settlers--Formation and Recognition of the Orange Free State--A New Setting for an Old Problem