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

similar to Canada’s, and under consideration for other white settler colonies, for the
Septinsula. 66 Seaton wanted Britain to treat the Islands as a military protectorate,
with no political power over the internal affairs of the Ionian State, a position
supported by many Liberali members of the reformist party, including Petro Vraila-
Armeni, Seaton’s closest associate in the Islands. 67
Seaton renewed his proposal to give the Legislative Assembly the power to
regulate state finances, believing this constitutional modification “would … be
advancing one step toward a more free form of government”. He assured his
superiors the latest proposal “will be both popular and useful”, noting the support of
the principal officers of his government, including the President and members of the
Senate. 68 Grey reacted positively to Seaton’s proposal, yet this was contested by
conservative officials on the Islands, such as Seaton’s secretary Gisborne, who
criticised Seaton’s program to Stephen in the Colonial Office. 69
The issue over free press again presented itself when a memorial circulating
through the Septinsula criticised the “existing restrictions on the Ionian press”. The
petitioners argued the Executive’s control over private printing presses in the
Septinsula was unjust when the Greek and Italian press was regularly circulated in
the Islands. Seaton conceded the Executive’s censorship was no longer applicable
since Ionian grievances could be printed in Malta and read in Corfu a few days later.
Seaton felt a free press would enable supporters of British rule to respond to their
66 Seaton to Grey, 26 January 1847, CO 136/125.
67 Ibid.
68 Seaton to Grey, Private and Confidential, 22 March 1847, CO 136/125.
69 Gisborne to Stephen, Private, 25 March 1847, CO 136/126.
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