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

have been formed in the English school”. 139 He expressed frustration to his superiors,
accusing Ionians MPs of being uncooperative, behaving like small children due to
personal rivalries and uninterested in practical solutions, making constitutional
government impossible. 140 Proroguing the Assembly, he attempted to govern with the
Senate using emergency powers of legislation and hoped the Ionians would elect a
more cooperative Legislature. 141 He attempted to undermine the activities of the
radicals and eradicate them from the tenth Assembly. He closed radical clubs in
Cephalonia and Zante and levied a £100 fine on those circulating propagandist
material. 142 Using the High Police Powers, Ward exiled four leading radicals from
Cephalonia and the radical unionists from Zante. 143 He attempted to build a
relationship with the moderate party suggesting “a mild programme of reform” that
included annual sessions of the Assembly, internal reorganisation of the Senate,
abandonment of the Executive powers in the Supreme Council of Justice, and limited
extension of the powers of the municipal government. 144
Hawes had little confidence the concessions Ward introduced would produce a
transformation of the government, a reservation Grey shared. 145 Grey, however, saw
no alternative but to allow “Ward to play out the game in his own way”. 146 He was
concerned by Ward's actions and told Russell he believed “Ward's 'Atto di Governo'
139 Ibid.
140 Ward to Grey, 20 December 1850, CO 136/138.
141 Ward to Grey, 27 May 1850, CO 136/138.
142 Ward to Symonds 9 January 1851, CO 136/140; Ward to Symonds, 4 April 1851, CO 136/140.
143 Ward to Grey, Confidential, 11 March 1851 CO 136/140; Ward to Grey 18 October 1851, CO
136/141.
144 Ward to Grey, Confidential, 2 June 1851, CO 136/140.
145 Tumelty J. J., “The Ionian Islands under British Administration”, p. 231.
146 Grey to Russell, 3 August 1851, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/9E.
255