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

unwearied patience, daily watchfulness and vigilance” and maintained the rights of
the Crown. Representative institutions, such as freedom of the press, should not be
given to “a Semi-Eastern population” who used it to discredit Britain and “alienate
the feelings of the people from the protection”. 20 Responsible forms of government
ought to apply only to colonists of British “blood and character”. There was, he
stated
an impassable gulf between these states and lands peopled by British
immigrants, who look back fondly to the old Country and the
institution of their fathers, the sentiment of loyalty to the Crown, the
pride of descent from and the feeling of community with England of
which such splendid and gratifying proofs have been given, in all
other British Dependencies have no existence here; neither do the
energy and the self-reliance, from which they spring and which in
turn they cherish. 21
Granting Ionians representative government was a “serious and lasting disservice” to
them. 22 Most importantly, the 1848 reforms, particularly freedom of the press, had
weakened British power and authority in the Septinsula. 23
Colonial officials, under the leadership of Labouchere, were disappointed after
Young’s “disparaging account” of the tenth Assembly indicated there was “no hope
of amendment for the future”. 24 British authorities in the Islands and at home disliked
their dependence on the Assembly. Labouchere instructed Young to “surrender no
portion of the authority” he possessed, but instead lay “down a competent authority”
20 Young to Stanley Confidential, 11 May 1858, CO 136/161; Young to Labouchere, 7 November
1857, CO 136/159; Young to Stanley, 10 March 1858, CO 136/161.
21 Young to Russell 14 July 1856, CO 136/156.
22 Ibid.
23 Young to Labouchere, 22 March 1856, Young Papers, Add. MS 62940.
24 See minutes in Young to Molesworth, 5 September 1855, CO 136/156.
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