He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on July 30, 1861 and handed over office on May 28, 1872. He was affiliated to the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland. During his office time he held the following departments:

• Department of Justice and Police (1861 - 1863)
• Political Department (1864)
• Department of Home Affairs (1865)
• Department of Justice and Police (1866)
• Department of Posts (1867)
• Political Department (1868)
• Department of Posts (1869)
• Political Department (1870)
• Department of Home Affairs (1871 - 1872)