the movements of British troops, the Ultimatum of President Kruger on
October 9, precipitated a state of war.

In presenting this Ultimatum President Kruger knew that the Republic
would not have to fight alone, but that there would be practically a war
of the South African Dutch against the English. The declaration of the
Orange Free State to Great Britain will therefore be of interest, as
expressing the grounds of sympathy between the South African Republic
and the Orange Free State, and the latter's view of the _causa belli_.
Lastly we add the constitution of the Orange Free State that the
political status of the two republics may be appreciated by comparison
of their constitutions.

The documents have been compiled from the _Codex van de Locale Wetten
der Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. Gröningen, 1894_; _The Political Laws
of the South African Republic. London and Cape Town, 1896_; and the
_State Papers of Great Britain, London, 1884-99_.

WASHINGTON, _February 10, 1900_.




CONTENTS.


PAGE
CHAPTER I.

1. Convention of London, February 27, 1884 7