The British have mixed success.

Their attempts to tax the Orange River Voortrekkers produce almost no revenue.

Claims to Sotho lands are met with opposition from Moshoeshoe, who in 1851 and 1852 successfully defeata British attempts to extend their authority into his lands.

As a result of the Sotho resistance, the British decide to withdraw from the Highveld, but in so doing they recognize the primacy of European rather than African claims to the land.

The Sand River Convention of 1852 and the Bloemfontein Convention of 1854 recognize the independence of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State, respectively, as Voortrekker republics so long as their residents agree to acknowledge the ultimate sovereignty of the British government, agree not to allow slavery in their territories, and agree not to sell ammunition to Africans.

Not until 1868 will the British again attempt to extend their power onto the Highveld, and this is only when Lesotho's defeat by the Orange Free State is so complete that the total destruction of the Sotho people seems likely.