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

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disagreed on <strong>the</strong>ir nature and extent. 22 Seaton’s reforms left <strong>British</strong> power <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Islands</strong> undef<strong>in</strong>ed; <strong>the</strong>y were naïve, based on his “confidence” <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> nature and<br />

character of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ionian</strong>s. 23 Ward believed Seaton was hasty <strong>in</strong> grant<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> reforms<br />

and was <strong>in</strong>fluenced by <strong>Ionian</strong> politicians through personal friendships with <strong>the</strong>m. 24<br />

He considered Seaton a modern liberal and populist when deal<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ionian</strong>s<br />

and distanced himself from Seaton’s plans. He wanted Russell’s support for his<br />

proposals to alter Seaton’s reforms to render <strong>the</strong>m “safe and practicable” for <strong>British</strong><br />

rule <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ionian</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>. 25 The <strong>Ionian</strong>s, Ward claimed, were forced by Seaton to<br />

vote for his reforms so <strong>the</strong>y could be seen as liberal by <strong>the</strong>ir countrymen. Accord<strong>in</strong>g<br />

to Ward, <strong>the</strong>y preferred Maitland’s Constitution. 26 Ward believed Maitland’s<br />

Constitution “was a Masterpiece and might have been made to last for 50 years<br />

longer” as it was “practical” and worked “smoothly”. 27 He felt “England ought not<br />

put herself <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> position of try<strong>in</strong>g an experiment, which must lead <strong>in</strong> three years to<br />

an absolute deadlock <strong>in</strong> government, <strong>the</strong> Queen’s representative be<strong>in</strong>g left without<br />

power for good, or for evil”. 28 Ward <strong>in</strong>tended to secure <strong>British</strong> predom<strong>in</strong>ance <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Mediterranean and did not believe <strong>Ionian</strong>s deserved <strong>British</strong> liberties.<br />

22 Hawes to Ward, Private, 21 May 1852, Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/61. Both Grey and Ward had<br />

similar ideas regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> reforms necessary but Hawes notes <strong>the</strong>y disagreed on <strong>the</strong> extent and <strong>the</strong><br />

time to which <strong>the</strong>y should be applied.<br />

23 Ward to Grey, 8 June 1849, CO 136/131.<br />

24 For example, Ward believed Seaton had suppressed evidence regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> 1848 disturbances <strong>in</strong><br />

Cephalonia and hidden his son's, James Colborne's, <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> ensu<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>vestigation. See<br />

Ward to Hawes, 7 October 1850, Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/5; Ward to Russell, 6 January 1850,<br />

Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/8C.<br />

25 Ward to Russell, 29 June 1849, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/7F; Russell to Grey, 24 September 1849,<br />

Grey Papers, GRE/B122/5/55.<br />

26 Ward to Russell, 6 January 1850, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/8C.<br />

27 Ward to Russell, Private, 7 September 1850, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/8E; Ward to Grey, 8 June<br />

1849, CO 136/131. See also Ward to Russell, 6 January 1850, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/8C.<br />

28 Ward to Russell, 29 June 1849, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/7F.<br />

228

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