Natal proclaimed a British colony (1843)

Natal was proclaimed a British colony on 4 May 1843 following the annexation of the Boer Republic of Natalia. This occurred after Lord Stanley consented to the establishment, despite earlier financial concerns and strategic doubts. The proclamation marked the transition from Boer control to British administration, though effective governance was not fully installed until 1845.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Prior to 1843, Cape Town merchants petitioned for a British colony in Natal, but financial constraints initially prevented this. Settlers south of the Tugela River requested colonial status, while Voortrekkers had displaced English settlers at Port Natal. Governor Napier issued a proclamation in 1841 to resume military occupation, setting the stage for formal annexation.

Political Process. Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, initially saw little prospect of advantage in establishing a colony in Natal but refused to admit the emigrants' pretensions to independence. In deference to the strongly urged views of Sir George Napier, Stanley consented in a despatch of 13 December (1842), received in Cape Town on 23 April 1843, to Natal becoming a British colony.

Implementation. The proclamation occurred on 4 May 1843. The Boer Volksraad agreed to the terms proposed by Lord Stanley in August 1843. Effective administration was not installed until the end of 1845, when Martin West became lieutenant-governor, ending the power of the Boer Volksraad.

People involved

Sources

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