Constructing Ionian identities: the Ionian Islands in British official ...

In Madras, Bentinck held more liberal beliefs concerning the native Indian
population, which he demonstrated by employing Indians in the administration and
more senior positions of the government. 87 Maitland felt Bentinck’s system was “of
perfect inefficiency and imbecility. Every ensign thinks himself a commander in
chief; every writer talks as if he were the head of government. They all write far too
much, spending hours of time and reams of paper over matters that could easily be
settled in an interview of ten minutes”. Maitland’s rule in Ceylon was fashioned in
accordance with the state of its society which he perceived as that of the “Middle
Ages”. He believed the inhabitants of Ceylon were “idle, assuming and indolent
coxcombs” who would not work if not compelled to do so. “Very different” he writes
“is my government…there [was] nothing to be seen in Ceylon but results…”. 88 “Our
power” he argued “rests solely in [others’] belief in our superiority”. 89
The parallel between the Ionian Islands and Malta was clear to him. There
were many social, financial, and political similarities in the two societies, especially
in their commercial benefits for Britain. 90 Malta provided a model of financial
control he could transfer to the Ionian Islands. 91 It was the same policy that was also
successful in Ceylon. Moreover, identifying that “temper, violence, murder” were
“common evils” among Mediterranean people, Malta offered Maitland a model for
87 Phillips C. H., The Correspondence of Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, Governor-General of
India 1828-1835, (Oxford, 1977), p. xiv.
88 Quoted in Lord W. F., Sir Thomas Maitland, p. 101.
89 Ibid., p. 84.
90 Smith H., Britain in Malta. vol. 1. Constitutional Development of Malta in the Nineteenth Century,
(Malta, 1953); Mallia-Milanes V. (ed.), The British Colonial Experience, 1800-1964 : the impact on
Maltese society, (Malta, 1988); Lee H. I., Malta 1813-1914. A study in constitutional and strategic
development, (Valetta, 1972).
91 Maitland to Bathurst, 1 April 1816, CO 136/5.
101