Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Malta on February 15, 1827. His post was lower in rank than that held by his predecessors, as both Thomas Maitland and Lord Hastings had enjoyed the title of Governor of Malta. The post given to Ponsonby also carried a lower salary, the equivalent of €4,000 instead of the €5,000 earned by each of the previous governors. Malta was at the time allocated £100,000 yearly, proving Britain’s frugal governance of Malta.
Much information can be gleaned about Ponsonby’s tenure from the plethora of proclamations, notices and minutes he promulgated. The sum total of these proclamations serve to provide an overview of Ponsonby’s eight-year governorship.
Matters related to the Church in Malta
All Church property that used to enjoy the right of sanctuary lost this privilege by proclamation published on April 10, 1828. Photo: Martin MoranaWhile a healthy diplomatic relationship was maintained between the governor and the local Church authorities, several underlying discords existed. At the core of these conflicting issues were certain privileges still enjoyed by the Church that went back to earlier times.
The main bone of contention was the clergy’s right to the privilegium fori. This privilege exempted the clergy from the jurisdiction of state courts, whether summoned as defendants or witnesses.
The other issue was the ‘Right of Sanctuary’, whereby the state’s judicial authorities were not permitted to access any ecclesiastical property in order to arrest any wanted criminal.
After long diplomatic discussions with the Vatican, Ponsonby was pleased to issue two proclamations on April 10, 1828, that abolished both privileges. The privilegium fori, however, still exempted the bishop of Malta − and, one may add, the governor himself.
A third issue was the longstanding adherence and subjugation of the Maltese diocese to that of Palermo. After Bishop Mattei died on July 14, 1829, Ponsonby ensured that the prerogative to choose the next bishop would be his and not, as was the practice, that of the King of the Two Sicilies.
Ponsonby took the liberty to recommend Mgr Francesco Saverio Caruana to the Vatican. On January 5, 1831, Caruana was appointed bishop.
Ponsonby also severed the Maltese diocese from the metropolitan diocese of Palermo.
Recurring matters
Some of Ponsonby’s proclamations needed regular amendments, notably:
a) the establishing of the price of wheat imported monthly from Egypt. The notification of the shift in the price (mieta in Maltese) was regularly published on the 24th of each month. Bought in bulk, wheat cost as low as £1.5 shillings per salm and, yet, the following month, could rise to £1.11 shillings per salm; and
b) the issuance of a warning, as summer approached, for dog owners to keep their pets indoors. While this regulation might seem a humane intervention to ensure proper shelter to animals from the hot summer temperatures, the same notice included a stern warning that stray dogs would be picked up and destroyed.
The memorial column erected on St Andrew’s Bastion, Valletta, in honour of Lieutenant Governor Ponsonby following his death.The judicial and the penitentiary system
Numerous proclamations related to the running of the justice system and the penitentiaries. On February 20, 1827, five days after his appointment as lieutenant governor, Ponsonby revised the law on the detention of debtors in prison by establishing the maximum imprisonment for such crimes to not exceed two years. Throughout his tenure, he also endeavoured to augment the procedures for trials by jury in special crimes.
On February 7, 1828, a law was passed for the more effectual punishment and reformation of juvenile offenders. It is interesting to note that the word ‘reform’ was included with ‘detention’ for juvenile cases.
Other proclamations
November 3, 1827: Following the introduction of British currency in Malta, a new coin was introduced, known as the British grain, equivalent to the Maltese ħabba. The coin was specifically minted for circulation in Malta to purchase daily commodities that were cheaper than the British farthing. The coin was equivalent to one-third of a farthing, hence, the name tliet ħabbiet.
Three days later, another proclamation was issued on November 6, which announced the withdrawal from circulation of all copper coins minted by the Order of St John.
July 6, 1829: A law was introduced prohibiting the sale of beer, wine and spirits to soldiers.
July 15, 1829: On the death of Bishop Ferdinando Mattei, a minute was issued, directing the Courts of Justice and places of public amusement to be closed for the duration of his funeral.
March 15, 1830: A new and strange regulation was issued, specifically to the Theatre Royal (later to be named the Manoel Theatre) that forbade performers from repeating any musical piece during the course of their performance.
March 30, 1830: Early that year, Malta was struck by an outbreak of smallpox. The governor issued a notice offering free smallpox vaccinations. Apparently, this offer was not taken up and the governor showed his disappointment, as evinced in a strongly worded reminder published on June 23.
June 15, 1830: A proclamation was issued ordering boatmen plying in Marsamxmett, which was then serving as the quarantine harbour, to register and obtain a licence. Every boat had to carry ‘a health guardian’ during quarantine operations.
July 30, 1830: The governor advised that investigations regarding claims by individuals for financial reimbursement for expenses incurred during the French blockade of Valletta (1798-1800) were now terminated. Those who had applied for such reimbursement were to have their claims settled.
Following heavy damage caused by lightning in 1864, the base of the column was eventually removed to the lower end of Hastings Garden. Photo: Martin Morana
A close-up showing the inscription on the base of the column.
January 23, 1832: Instructions were issued to the police for the better observance of street cleanliness in Valletta.
March 23, 1832: Maltese speronaras were exempted from port charges.
August 14, 1832: Further to the legal notice of March 21, 1823, Ponsonby showed his strict intention to bring to justice all delinquents who dealt in the slave trade. Although this had long been outlawed, it had come to his notice that Maltese sailors were involved in illegal trafficking of slaves between the Dalmatian coast and Constantinople.
April 29, 1835: A proclamation was issued showing Britain’s intention to allow Maltese representatives to sit on a newly established Governing Council, wherein the members were to advise and assist in the administration “with the power to debate and vote in all matters of public concern”. This was the first step that allowed Maltese politicians to voice their opinions on issues of national importance.
Ponsonby served his tenure up until May 1835. He then left for England due to ill health, albeit, remaining de jure governor until September 30, 1836.
He died on January 11, 1837.
Acknowledgement
The author thanks Michael Cassar for his assistance.