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

Henry argued Maitland’s obsession in securing British employees as public
functionaries had disastrous effects on the finances of the Ionian state. The exclusion
of the natives from commercial positions they had held for decades and their
replacement by Maitland’s chosen commercial agents and merchants resulted in
“unwise monopolies … doubling taxation and bad revenue”. 29 Furthermore,
Maitland’s policies affected the religious establishment. The supposedly free
ecclesiastical establishment ought to “be exercised … by its professors, in the fullest
manner and with the fullest Liberty”. 30 Maitland, however, had put many
“regulations” and controls on the Orthodox Ionian Bishop, turning him into “a mere
officer of the Executive”. 31
Maitland played with the feelings and expectations of the Ionian people. They
saw Maitland as an experienced British soldier and colonial administrator, a man “of
Talents” who they trusted to deliver representative government in accordance with
the Treaty of Paris. But they were now aware of Maitland’s manipulative and
authoritarian character and manners. But Henry doubted Maitland could continue his
rule without provoking general resistance from the Ionian population. He warned the
Colonial Office Maitland was unpopular because he exercised power with no right,
strangling the “voice of the people” by buying the votes of the Ionian Parliament and
cutting off those who dared challenge him, such as Henry himself. Ionians “had
already seen and felt the Mockery of our Institution”. 32 Henry requested his superiors
29 Ibid.
30 British Parliamentary Papers, XVII (132): Constitution of 1817, (1818).
31 Henry to Coulburn, 25 May 1820, CO 136/304.
32 Ibid.
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