The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (1864): The Corfu Connection, and Origins

The Order was founded on 27 April 1818 (statutes 14 August 1818; first investiture 18 November, 1818). This is the list as published in Debrett's in 1865. There are a large number of names from Corfu and the Ionian Islands:

Essential book on the history of the Order by Peter Galloway. 

The first five chapters are of particular interest in relation to the Ionian Islands and Malta.

Peter Galloway writes (pp 14-15) that Sir Thomas Maitland created the Order and the Honour in order to 'reward loyalty and dedication' to the new administration, as a method of 'securing and perpetuating loyalty', as the cheapest and most powerful way to flatter the vanity of eminent islanders (letter of 31 May, 1817).  Maitland was the first Grand Master of the Order.

Galloway notes (p. 56) that "The ending of the protectorate was marked by a small 'dissolution' honours list".

Sir Thomas Maitland, Lord High Commissioner

The Maitland Memorial (prior to restoration)

Baron Emmanuel Theotokis, President of the Senate and friend of Maitland (see my "The Ionian Islands and Epirus, A Cultural History", p. 170) , was one of the first Ionian islanders to be honoured with the Grand Cross of the Order (18 November 1818). Peter Galloway's Appendix Two contains a complete list (pp 366-377) of the Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order (up until 30 April 2000). 

List of Lord High Commissioners 

See also Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons, Papers Relating to the Ionian Islands, pp 113-114

The Order was not without controversy:

On the treatment of two Knights Commanders of the Order

"A liberal Corfu paper, in 1862, taunted Count Dusmani, Sir George Marcoran, and the other shelved

Protectionists, with having been treated by the British Government like oranges,

  which are first well sucked, and then thrown away.

G.W.H.F. Orkney (Viscount Kirkwall), note. p 276 (see below)

University of Nottingham papers:

"Marcoran; Georgio (fl 1853-1864); Sir; member of Supreme Council of the Ionian Islands; dismissed for corruption

Xidian; Anastasio T. (fl 1849-1863); Sir; member of Supreme Council of the Ionian Islands;dismissed for corruption"

More information:

Document Ref Ne C 10959/1-6

Title Letter from Sir H. Storks, Palace, Corfu, to [Henry Pelham-Clinton] 5th Duke of Newcastle under Lyne; 27 Oct. 1862

Dates Of Creation 27.10.1862
Extent 12 ff

Content

Description: Regrets that the non-reappointment of Messrs Marcoran and Xidian [as judges] is likely to 'give so much trouble in Parliament';

Says that it is common knowledge in the islands why they were not reappointed; says that they were
considered 'corrupt and dishonest'; explains the personal dispute between himself and Lord Kirkwall.

Letter marked 'Private'.
Term colonies, Ionian Islands
Term resignations and dismissals, Sir Georgio Marcoran
Term resignations and dismissals, Sir Anastasio Xidian
Term colonial affairs, constitutions
Term colonial affairs, indigenous populations, attitudes of

Condition damaged by fire

Related Material Ne C 10953/1-2 - Ne C 10977

Physical Description conserved

For a very different view of events and personalities, see the book by Orkney (Kirkwall), pp 272-276

Four Years in the Ionian Islands:
their Political and Social ..., Volume 1
By George William Hamilton Fitzmaurice Orkney (Viscount Kirkwall)

Peter Galloway's book (p. 56) also sets the record straight with regards to Sir George Marcoran, who was appointed GCMG in 1867.

According to the Earl of Derby, Marcoran was of "the highest character for ability and integrity... he was deprived of his office by a political intrigue...under circumstances of great hardship and without the slightest imputation on his character".

Perhaps the records accessible on the net also need to be put straight.