In 1875 he says: "Under no circumstances could I any longer submit to the thankless role of Minister-President of Prussia in a Ministry with joint responsibility, if I were not accustomed, from my old affection, to submit to the wishes of my King and Master.

So thankless, so powerless, and so little responsible is that position; one can only be responsible for that which one does of one's own will; a board is responsible for nothing." He always said himself that he would be satisfied with the position of an English Prime Minister.

He was thinking, of course, of the constitutional right which the Prime Minister has, to appoint and dismiss his colleagues, which if he has strength of character will, of course, give him the real control of affairs, and also of the right which he enjoys of being the sole means by which the views of the Ministers are represented to the sovereign.

In Prussia the Minister-President had not acquired by habit these privileges, and the power of the different Ministers was much more equal.

In the new Federation he intended to have a single will directing the whole machine.
The matter is of some interest because of the light it throws on one side of his character.