The Transvaal government under President Paul Kruger considered launching an attack in September .
President Steyn of the Orange Free State , who would later become the spiritual heart of the Boer resistance , dissuaded government for several weeks while he tried to act as intermediary .
The Transvaal government under President Paul Kruger considered launching an attack in September , but President Steyn of the Orange Free State , who would later become the spiritual heart of the Boer resistance , dissuaded them for several weeks while he tried to act as intermediary .