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

Englishmen were attempts to justify their unfitness and incapacity for representative
government. His repeated clashes with the Assembly over many of Seaton's reforms
were used to justify his prorogations of the Assembly and use of the High Police
Power to rule in an authoritarian manner that was questionable in its legality and
widely unpopular in the Septinsula.
Ward also had a complex relationship with Grey. While Grey initially hoped
Ward would advance Seaton's reforms, he was disappointed Ward dismissed these
reforms outright and instead proposed his own reforms that would bring a return of
authoritarian rule. Ward, too, was disappointed Grey did not back his own reform
proposals and was frustrated by Grey's lack of support regarding many of his policies
in the Islands. 169 Ward used his friendships with Russell and Hawes to advance his
own policies while speaking openly, and often critically, of Grey on many issues. He
considered Grey's liberal views obstacles to his own vision as to how the Islands
would be governed and blamed much of the deadlock of government in the Islands
on Grey. Yet neither Russell, nor Hawes, despite their friendship with Ward, wholly
supported his actions. Russell was sympathetic to his friend's troubles in the Islands
but his correspondence with Grey also questioned the legality and constitutionality
of some of Ward's actions. Hawes, meanwhile, attempted to act as mediator between
Ward and Grey, commenting on the strengths and weaknesses of both men, as well
169 Hawes to Ward, Private, 21 May 1852, Grey Papers, GRE/B130/6/61. Hawes noted Grey had
supported many of Ward's amendments to Seaton's reformed Constitution, but would not allow Ward
to enable a return of Maitland's more authoritarian measures. Hawes, who did not agree with all of
Grey's decisions, noted Grey's views regarding reform in the Ionian Islands was a part of his attempts
to reform Colonial governance throughout the Empire and introduce representative government to
more colonies.
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