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

Maitland’s tenure as governor set important precedents and influenced how
future governors would consider the place of the Protectorate within the Empire.
Maitland was an experienced colonial administrator. Throughout his tenure, he
constructed an image of the Ionians as unfit to govern themselves, needing his
(Britain’s) firm hand to guide them. He, in conjunction with Bathurst, the Colonial
Secretary, exploited loopholes in the Treaty of Paris to impose authoritarian rule on
the Islands. As a result, Maitland laid the foundations for authoritarian rule over the
Islands and strengthened the ambiguous position of the Islands by attempting to
make them a Crown Colony instead of allowing them to be a free and independent
state.
Maitland’s Constitution, although ratified, was not without its critics, many of
whom challenged his competence, his authority and the legitimacy of his rule. They
spoke out against British injustice and cruelty toward the Ionians, disparaging the
imposition of Maitland’s despotic regime and his abuse of the Treaty of Paris. From
1821 the rise of Greek nationalism in the Islands, which encouraged many Ionians to
view themselves as Ionian/Greeks, was, not surprisingly, considered a threat to
British presence.
The appointment of Nugent, a Whig, marked a new era of liberal policy in the
Islands. He introduced the notion of power-sharing with the Ionians and prepared the
ground for them to question British rule. Douglas, in contrast, believed in the long-
term civilising mission of the British authorities. Although Douglas supported
Maitland’s brand of authoritarian rule and, despite Ionian pressure, resisted
360