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

not to blindly accept Maitland’s view of the Ionians as the “only true” view. Henry
entertained a different view, portraying them as “already too enlightened”.
Henry believed a successful governor not only displayed administrative
competence but also possessed personal qualities that showed he was a moral
exemplar, a true representative of the Crown. Maitland was not amiable or
honourable, lacking an able head and a willingness to co-operate with the Ionians.
The Ionian Islands were a protectorate and should be treated as such. Maitland was
entrusted with the peace and happiness of the Septinsula. But Maitland, and Britain,
had pursued a very different system, viewing the Ionians “with jealousy, suspicion
and dishonest[y], the finest way to create the defects in their character we assure
them of, or continue them, if they really exist”. 33
Henry cited his views on how the Protectorate should be governed.
Constructions of the Ionians as unfit and creating an authoritarian constitution was
“a very unwise experiment”. 34 Henry’s ideal scheme was a form of representative
government, with different governmental departments placed under the authority of
competent Ionians while the governor presided over the whole without power to
interfere in any department. Henry’s critique resembled that of some British radicals
in Parliament, except Henry’s was based on his own direct experience. Henry
believed Maitland had stepped over the boundaries of his title and office and the
Constitution of 1817 was a façade designed to mask Maitland’s despotism. The man
33 Ibid.
34 Ibid.
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