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

too far on the franchise. 12 Privately, Ward was in debt and needed the salary offered
by the position. His election campaigns had drained the resources of the family
estate in Hertfordshire and he suffered further financial losses in 1846 from ill-
judged railway speculations. He also hoped the climate in the Septinsula would
improve the health of his wife and improve his self-worth after his recent setbacks. 13
Ward could also take advantage of his connections in the Colonial Office, including
his close friend Hawes, the Colonial Under-Secretary, who acted as Ward's
confidante about both personal and political issues during his tenure in the Islands. 14
Ward used his friendship with Hawes to try to gain support for his agenda in the
Islands. Ward was also open in his letters about his criticism of Grey when Grey did
not support him, attempting to place the blame for any problems or failures of policy
in the Islands on Grey rather than himself.
Grey had hoped Ward, with his Parliamentary experience and reputation as a
radical, would continue Seaton’s work in the Islands. Seaton worked closely with
other politicians in the Ionian Islands to introduce reforms. Ward, however, had a
very different relationship with local politicians as well as a different attitude to the
way the Islands should be governed. Ward disagreed with Seaton’s reforms and was
12 Ward to Russell, Private, 23 March 1849, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/7F.
13 Ward to Russell, Private, 23 March 1849, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/7F; Ward to Russell, 24 April
1849, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/7F.
14 Wards close relationship with Hawes can be evidenced in the following letters: Ward to Hawes, 22
January 1851, Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/22; Ward to Hawes, Private, 8 March 1851, Grey Papers,
GRE/B130/6/34; Ward to Hawes, 20 March 1851, Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/37; Ward to Hawes,
Private, 5 June 1851, Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/41; Ward to Hawes, 24 April 1852, Grey Papers,
GRE/B130/6/53. For Ward's criticisms of Grey, see Ward to Hawes, Private, 6 January 1851, Grey
Papers, GRE/B130/6/21; Ward to Hawes, 22 January 1851, Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/22; Ward to
Hawes, Private, 8 March 1851, Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/34; Ward to Hawes, Private, 23 April 1852,
Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/53.
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