On 30 January 1854, a royal proclamation was signed abandoning and renouncing all dominion in the Orange River Sovereignty. On 23 February 1854, the Orange River Convention officially recognised the independence of the area which was called the Orange Free State.
On 30 January 1854, a royal decree was issued relinquishing and renouncing all authority over the Orange River Sovereignty. On 23 February 1854, the Orange River Convention formally acknowledged the independence of the region, which was known as the Orange Free State.