He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on February 1, 1870, and handed over office on December 31, 1875. He was affiliated with the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland. While in office he held the following departments:

• Department of Finance (1870 - 1871)
• Department of Defence; Military Department (1872)
• Political Department (1873)
• Department of Justice and Police (1874 - 1875)