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

is the impression made upon them by the strong hand of power”. 79 Since he had
never intended to share power with a Maltese council, he was unprepared to do so
with the Ionians.
Rather, Maitland proposed the only way to secure admittance to the
proceedings of the Constitution was to establish a provisional government which
annihilated the present constitutions, appoint new British officers in the various
departments, and form an Ionian Assembly consisting solely of Ionians who
favoured the British administration. Maitland was certain his proposals would be a
success from the British perspective. After studying the character of the Ionians he
knew “what they are looking at is, who has the power of giving Employment and
administering to their personal interest, and as for their liberty and independence, [it]
only means the independence from all judicial proceedings- and the liberty of
plundering their country”. Maitland did not expect any opposition in his attempt to
enforce authoritarian government, believing the Ionians “detest an honest and
upright government” as “foreign to their practice and even to their conceptions- they
can deal, with low cunning and intrigue of all kinds, and in sophistry; but they
neither understand nor appreciate a fair open and manly part”. 80
When Maitland published his views on Ionian character, the Senate protested
his official statements about the unfitness of the Ionian people for representative
government. In response, he dismissed four Senators. 81 He argued the Ionians’
79 Maitland to Bunbury, 18 February 1816, CO 136/5.
80 Ibid.
81 Maitland to the Primary Council of Corfu, 3 February 1817, CO 136/7.
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