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

and Grey reflect his friendship with them and his benefit from their patronage. They
also reveal his attempts to advance his political ideas about rule in the Septinsula and
to safeguard their support. Although Russell's and Grey's replies are not included in
either collection, Ward's letters hint at their responses. The letters between Russell
and Grey continue the discussion about the place of the Islands in the Empire. In
Grey's collection, the correspondence between Ward and Hawes sheds light on the
complexities Ward experienced as governor. While these issues are thoroughly
covered in the Colonial Office papers, this private correspondence further indicates
the frustration felt by Ward and Hawes's attempts to mediate a conflict between Ward
and Grey.
Young's papers consist of his correspondence with the Colonial Office. While
Young's papers, on the whole, are not dissimilar to the material in the Colonial
Office papers, they do present in greater depth his considerations of possible forms
of government for the Islands. They also reveal his patronage of George Bowen,
Secretary to the Governor, who would become an advisor to Gladstone and Storks.
The examination of Gladstone's papers is focused between 1858 and 1859, covering
the period when he was High Commissioner including the months before and after
his term of office. They indicate the expectations about his mission. They present a
variety of perspectives regarding British rule in the Septinsula from both British and
Ionian correspondents. These letters are a mixture of requests for Gladstone's
patronage in the Islands and other parts of the Empire and reveal a variety of
opinions regarding British rule and perceptions of the Ionians' character.
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