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

the overthrow of the British “by appealing to feelings of Nationality and Religion”
amongst an “ignorant peasantry”. 54 Claiming he had support from the “church, the
property, and the intelligence of the country” he asked the British government to
annul freedom of the press. 55
Crown law officers and Merivale understood annulment or modification of the
press law needed support from the Ionian parliament, which they were unlikely to
give, or an order from the Crown, for which there were too many technicalities.
Grey, who did not wish to annul the law, thought Ward meant to censor the press. 56
Grey, like Seaton and Russell, believed a free press would be a civilising force that
would unite the British and Ionians and strengthen the government in the Septinsula.
Ward amended his proposal to annul the law and instead suggested freedom of the
press “under proper restriction” and exercised “within reasonable limits” for at least
“ten years”. 57
Ward also defended his policy of martial law, which was coming under
increasing criticism by both Ionians and Britons. Martial law was a response to the
Ionian radicals who were testing his leadership. 58 The Ionians were “murderers and
robbers”. 59 They had committed “atrocities” and “crimes” including the decapitation
54 Ward to Russell, 8 September 1849, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/8A; Ward to Russell, 13 December
1850, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/8F.
55 Ward to Grey, 9 September 1849, CO 136/132.
56 minutes in Ward to Grey, 9 September 1849, CO 136/132; Hawes to Ward, Private, 21 May 1852,
Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/61.
57 Ward to Grey, 22 October 1849, CO 136/132.
58 Ward to Russell, 8 September 1849, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/8A.
59 Ward to Grey, 7 September 1849, CO 136/132.
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