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

prorogued the Assembly for six months after members refused to remove the papers
from the order of the day, complaining about the lack of “moral courage” among
Assembly members who were “much afraid” of being proclaimed unpatriotic and
losing elections. 44
While prorogation had previously been used to augment his authority, it was
now utilised to stifle debate about union with Greece. Ionian radicals believed
Russell’s despatch exposed the hypocrisy of British attitudes. Radical Assembly
members like Dandolo and Padova criticised Storks’s prorogation in articles and
pamphlets printed in the Ionian and foreign press, accusing Britain of imposing
despotic forms of rule and Storks for proroguing the Assembly before receiving the
Legislature’s decision on the removal of Lombardo’s and Baccomi’s papers from the
agenda. 45 Storks pleaded with his superiors to consider the “character and the
credibility of the person” making these accusations, believing his honest, credible
English character overshadowed those of troublesome and irrational agitators. 46
Newcastle, bitterly disappointed in the Assembly’s conduct, believed the Assembly’s
call for union with Greece and their appeals for European support were “illegal” and
“unconstitutional”. Although he continued to maintain British authorities at home
and in the Islands, were “ready and anxious to co-operate” with the Ionian
Legislature, it was obvious the latter were not. He agreed with Storks the presence of
“an enlightened public opinion” to control the Assembly was lacking in the Islands.
44 Storks to Newcastle, Confidential, 11 March 1861, CO 136/173.
45 Storks to Newcastle, 26 March 1861, CO 136/173; Storks to Newcastle, 1 April 1861, CO 136/173;
Storks to Newcastle, 5 April 1861, CO 136/173; Storks to Newcastle, 6 April 1861 CO 136/173;
Storks to Newcastle, 10 April 1861, CO 136/173.
46 Storks to Newcastle, 6 April 1861, CO 136/173.
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