Catalogue description Colonial Office: Orange River Colony Original Correspondence

Bound volumes arranged chronologically and generally within the following subject headings: Despatches (letters of the governors), Offices (letters of government departments and other organisations) and Individuals (arranged alphabetically). Each volume with a contents list, or précis of each letter giving name of correspondent, date of letter and subject matter.

The territory between the Orange and Vaal Rivers was settled by Boers from the Cape during the Great Trek of 1836-1837 and became a republic in 1842. In 1848 it was declared to be under British sovereignty, but in 1854 the Orange Free State was recognised as an independent state. In 1899 it allied itself with the South African Republic, and in 1900 was annexed to Britain under the name of the Orange River Colony. In 1910 the state became a province of the Union of South Africa and resumed its former name of Orange Free State.