He then began a career in the executive branch of government. He was appointed Minister of Justice and the Police on 30 April 1874. He left on 30 September the same year, only to become member of the Council of State Division in Stockholm the next day. He held this position for exactly one year, except for a period between 26 May and 20 July 1875. Then, on 1 October 1875, he was appointed Minister of Finance and Customs. On 1 November 1876 he was appointed Minister of Church and Education, and on 1 October the next year he became Minister of the Navy and Postal Affairs. Exactly one year after that he was moved to the Council of State Division in Stockholm. On 1 September 1879 he was appointed Minister of Finance and Customs for the second time, a position he held until 31 August the next year. On 1 November 1880 he became Minister of Church and Education again, leaving exactly one year later, and with a short hiatus in September 1881. Ten months as Minister of the Navy and Postal Affairs followed, before one year as Minister of Justice and the Police. From 1 September 1883 he was a member of the Council of State Division in Stockholm for the third time. Ultimately, he was impeached in March 1884, together with the rest of the cabinet Selmer. Some sources state that he, during this period, headed each government ministry in Norway, but this is not true. He was never Minister of Defence, nor Minister of Auditing.