Fortunato Mizzi

Abstract

Before relating the life of this famous Maltese politician of the 19th and early 20th century, it would be more appropriate if a glance were taken at the development of the Maltese constitution since the coming of the British early in 1800. After the surrender of the French garrison in 1800 Britain found herself in control of the country. British "interest" in Malta at the time appears to have been 'transitory'. documents suggest that the British Government looked upon Malta as a purely wartime acquisition to be denied to the French for the duration of hostilities, and to be restored to the Order of St. John on conclusion of a satisfactory peace settlement. The instructions sent to the Civil Commissioner, Sir Hildebrand Oakes, who was appointed to take over the reins of government, emphasised that no unneccessary changes in the mode of administration were to be made. He was to run things very much as they had been run by the Order before. (1) Within these General terms of reference, and subject to very remote and loose control from London, the Commissioner was to step into the Grand Master's shoes and to exercise the same powers. The static and largely undefined form of Government was unsatisfactory from all points of view. In 1812, by which time Britain had finally determined to retain a permanent foothold in Malta, a special Commission was sent out to enquire into 'all matters touching the actual state of Malta' - with certain reservations - and to recommend ways and means of setting up a more "::British" form of Government. The recommendations of the Commission were, in the main, accepted and embodied in the instructions issued to Governor Maitland in 1813 by the Secretary of State, Lord Bathurst. [ ... }