The British governor Alexander Ball replied on 2 March 1803 that some powers were still not recognising Malta 's independence .
So British was authorised to continue basing troops on the island and that the government palace ( occupied by British civil servants ) could not be vacated .
The British governor Alexander Ball replied on 2 March 1803 that some powers were still not recognising Malta 's independence and so Britain was authorised to continue basing troops on the island and that the government palace ( occupied by British civil servants ) could not be vacated .