When the capitulation of the French was signed, it was agreed that they had to leave the Islands with all the honours of war, and that the Maltese were not to go back to Valletta, Before all the French had gone out.
Then, Ball entered the City and occupied the Palace of the Grand Masters. These changes, however, did not make clear the future of these islands. Several nations in Europe, like Naples, Spain, Austria and Russia, thought that it would be better to give back Malta to the Order of St. John, and to keep the place neutral. Even Napoleon agreed to this, on condition that all fortifications are destroyed.
In 1802, England and France signed a Treaty at Amiens, in France, by which Malta was to be returned to the Order and remain neutral. In the meantime, the Maltese were beginning to like the British and did not want the Order's return, some, indeed, were so furious at the idea that they tore away from the walls the proclamation of the Treaty. The Maltese had already sent a delegation to England to show the Government there that they wanted to remain under British protection and that, if this was impossible, they wanted to remain neutral.
Britain did not see very quickly all the advantages of keeping the Islands, still, the troops were not sent away, moreover, to the great surprise and discontent of the Maltese, a new Grand Master was chosen. Ball was made to return to Malta, but Napoleon declared angrily 'Either Malta or war! I would rather see you occupying Montmartre (centre of Paris) than Malta!" So, war was again declared. During the following eleven years. Napoleon won and lost many battles, was captured, got free, was captured again, and exiled.
The situation in Malta seemed to be finally settled when, in 1814, several nations signed the Treaty of Paris by which Malta was entrusted to Britain to be kept on a 'rule based on the love of the Maltese themselves, and on the opinion of Europe". The Latin inscription on the Main Guard building still shows this, and that the British did not conquer Malta by force of arms, but that our fore fathers, through love and confidence, placed Malta in the hands of Britain for protection.
Soon, a British Governor, Sir Thomas Maitland, was appointed, and Malta became a British Colony, with English as the main language, as a result of all these important changes. Our Municipal body, the University' lost much of its power, a power that had been lessened and weakened during the stay of the Knights in Malta.

NEW CHANGES AND REFORMS

When the British came to Malta, they made certain changes in the laws and re­gulations of the islands. They also allowed everyone to import corn, and merchants could order any amount of food from abroad, they guaranteed that the Bishops would enjoy full freedom and authority, and that these were not subject to criminal action. The Press was to have its complete freedom, but punishments were laid down in case this freedom was used badly.
A regiment, the Royal Malta Fencibles, was formed for the defence of the islands. In 1814, the old system of police protection was stopped and the Police Force was start­ed, this was divided into seven districts, each under a Syndic, or Mayor. In 1881, then, the Law Courts were divided into Superior and Inferior Courts, and Trial by Jury was introduced.
In Malta, coins of the Order and of various countries were in current use, but the British, very slowly, took away the old coins, the use of copper coins of the Order was stopped (1831), and their place was taken by British coins. But the values of such coins were still called by old names, like rhieghi, karlin, cinkwina, habba and skud.

In the early days of British rule, Malta made great progress in commerce, the people were thriving and happy, and the island was paying its own way. English merchants, their ships, their goods and their money made Malta a very important trade centre for all Mediterranean ports.
In 1824, Governor Hastings opened an Industrial Centre where girls could learn spinning, weaving, lace-making, and needlework, he also reviv­ed the silk industry. When the Suez Canal was opened (1869), Malta became a most important port and a coaling centre.
The British started their educational programme with a reform in the University, and with Secondary education at the Lyceum. There were only three primary schools until 1835, when Sarah Austin (whose hus­band formed part of a Government Com­mission on Education) worked hard to have primary schools in most villages.
In 1848, the Augustinians opened a free school for poor children; the Jesuits started a College in Sliema, in Valletta, and, later in Birkirkara. Better education was helped in all schools, teachers were trained at a special School, and Education in general made real progress. In 1946, a law was passed requiring all children to attend school.