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

Bathurst rejected all the criticisms and accusations Capodistria made against
British governance. He rejected Capodistria’s accusation that the election of
members to the Ionian Legislative Assembly was fixed by Maitland. He disagreed
with Capodistria that Maitland’s power was too extensive and that he had acted
without control from his superiors, noting Maitland was responsible to the Crown
and Parliament for the ways he exercised power. Bathurst rejected the accusation
Maitland forbade discussion in the Ionian Parliament about the Constitution of 1817,
remarking “it was not the duty of the LHC to enter into contentions, discussions, and
personal altercations with every individual in Corfu, who might chose to give his
own interpretation of it”. 50
Bathurst especially rejected accusations of British misgovernment, stating
Britain had “found the Administration of Justice dilatory, irregular, and corrupt”, 51
and under British rule improvements had been made in overcoming these issues.
Bathurst entirely rejected Capodistria’s demand to alter the Ionian constitution. He
did not see the need for that and argued changing the charter would only “serve to
unsettle men’s minds and give encouragement to that love of change which it is to be
feared is making a solid progress in every part of Europe and may ultimately disturb
its peace and tranquillity”. 52 In a last attempt to gain some power for Ionians within
the government, Capodistria suggested the appointment of an Ionian agent in the
50 Ibid.
51 Bathurst to Capodistria, 30 July 1820, CO 136/304.
52 Ibid., Referring to the “mysterious unions” much like the Carbonari in Italy and to the secret
societies which have been formed in Greece and “that attempts have been made to introduce it into
the Ionian Islands” could succeed Bathurst noted if “the British government were wavering and
resolute in the maintenance of what has been established”. On secret societies and Italian national
movements, see Liakos A., I Italiki Enopiisi ke i Megali Idea [Italian Unification and the Great Idea].
128