The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-10 00:00:00

THE lONIAN ISLES.

The Wasp screw steamer arrived at Malta on
April 2, from Corfu.

On the Ist inst. Sir Henry Ward addressed the
lonian Senate previous to the opening. The
Senate had subsequently presented a draught of a
reply, which, although not then voted, had called
forth an energetic measure on the part of Sir
Henry Ward,—nothing less than the proroguing,
till the 18th of September next, the Parliament.
It would appear that the answer to, the address
contained certain allusions to the foreign policy
which could not be allowed by the Lord High Com-
missioner, without his accepting himself the re-
sponsibility of the consequences it was sure to
produce. .

• e sul)join the address of the Lord High Com 7
inissioner to the Senate, before the prorogation,
which took place on the 18th of March.
"Palace of St. Michael and St. George,
March 18, 1854.
" Mr. President,—l have always apprended that, in
the present state of Eastern affairs, it would be ex-
tremely difficult to prevent differences from arising be-
tween the Legislative Assembly of these States and the
representative of the protecting Sovereign.
"1 endeavoured in my opening speech to trace a line,
which I thought that the Assembly might pursue, with
honour to itself and utility to the country. I find, how-
ever, with regret, that yielding to a sentiment of which I
cannot admit the justice, in the peculiar relations that
exist between those islands and the Crown of Great Bri-
tain, the draught of the address which has just been laid
upon the table contains an allusion to foreign policy—
with which, constitutionally, the Assembly has nothing
to do—and that the paragraph relating to it is couched
in terms which I could not permit to go forth with any
stamp of authority upon them, without accepting the
responsibility of the consequences which in my judgment
it is certain to produce.
"'lt is true that the address has not yet been voted by
the Assembly. But the draught presented is the work
of that section of the legislative body which designates
itself as the Constitutional Opposition, and which has
merited that title, during the present session, by the
moderation of its language and the prudence of its con-
duct. Other proposals of a much more violent character
will probably be made. And I must consider what my
position will be, even supposing them to be rejected in
favour of the address as it now stands.
"That address is to be read to me, as the representa-
tive of the Queen, at a public sitting. If I receive it in
silence, I shall be considered to acquiesce in its sentiments.
If I reply to it, and I can only do so 13 reiterating the
warning already given, in her Majesty's name, against
any participation in the movement in Epirus, while I
repeat the assurance that her Majesty, in common
with her allies, will exert her influence to secure to the
Christian subjects of the Porte a stable and satisfactory
position, and to place their rights under an European
guarantee, I shall find myself placed in collision with
the Assembly upon a point involving questions of the
utmost delicacy, which are certain to force themselves
upon our attention daily in many different shapes.
"Under these circumstances, though I abandon, with
great reluctance, the hopes that I expressed on the day
of your meeting, and desire to record my belief that, so
far as internal affairs are concerned, there was nothing
to prevent a cordial cooperation between the Assembly
and the Representative of the British Crown —I find
myself compelled to exercise the powers vested in me by
Article 19, Chapter 1, of the Constitution. and to declare
this session prorogued, until the 18th of September next,
when I hope that your labours may be renewed under
happier auspices.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
"Your most obedient, humble servant,
(Signed) 6, H. G. WARD.
"The Most Illustrious, the President of the
" Legislative Assembly, &c., &c., &c., Corfu."