Despite its victories during the Revolution, Crete ended up remaining inside the borders of the Greek state. In spite of this, it did not constitute a province properly integrated within the Ottoman state, but knew various administrative and diplomatic regulations as a result of its strategic position and the frequent revolts of its inhabitants.

The island's subjection to Mehmet Ali of Egypt did not satisfy the Cretans who, in 1838 and 1839, after the unsuccessful movement of Mournies, pleaded with England to declare Crete an English protectorate. On 3rd July 1840, with the Treaty of London, Crete was once again under the Sultan's rule, its capital from 1851 being Chania.
From 1856, the island went through a period of reforms, following the evolutions in the Empire in general. By the firman of 7th July 1858, some favourable regulations for both the Christians and the Muslims of the island were secured, the most important one being the establishment of eldermen in the capitals of the three departments Chania, Rethimno and Iraklion.

After the 1866 Revolution, with England's support, the 'Organic Law' was 'conceded' to the Cretans, on the basis of the imperial decree of 8th January 1868. The law was valid until 1877, even though it was violated many times. Apart from the value of recognition of a special charter for the island, the provision for the nomination of Christian administrative employees and the foundation of mixed courts, with the participation of Christians and Muslims, was also important. Elected counsellors from both communities would participate on the central board, while Greek and Turkish were fixed as equivalent languages in administration.

In 1878, in the context of Balkan realignment, one more revolution broke out and diplomatic evolutions led to the replacement of the 'Organic Law' by the 'Halepa Pact' (October 1878). The 'Pact' provided the possibility for a Christian commandant with five-years' service to be appointed. It fixed the convocation of a general assembly consisting of 49 Christians and 31 Muslims, and founded the Cretan gendarmerie. Greek prevailed as the administrative language and only specific documents and decisions were to be written in Turkish as well. Finally, the 'Pact' permitted the creation of literary associations and the issue of newspapers.

The 'Pact' did not bring peace to the island. It is quite impressive that it basically constituted a specialization of principles which theoretically became accepted by the imperial decree of 1856. But one can see that, as in the case of Eastern Rumelia, Crete continued its course of secession from the Empire. This course started from the administrative - in this case - subjection passed by the administration on the basis of a special charter or organic law and ended up with the foundation of an autonomous Cretan principality in 1898, whose High Commissioner was Prince George.
A slow and gradual process of union with Greece seemed to come to an end.