[...] My proposal that you should be summoned was used by Pfistermeister to bring about, if possible, a breach between the King and myself. Returned from a holiday in Switzerland and finding awaiting him a letter from Ludwig full of rough reprimands, his answer was to invite me for a week's visit to Hohenschwangau, during which the young monarch showed me so plainly that I was the one friend he loved, and in all respects opened his heart to me so unreservedly, that I could not fail to realise that I was becoming involved in duties, the fulfilment of which was ruinous to my peace as an artist. As touching you [...] I found the King's behaviour liberal and fine, as in everything else. He was, however, apprehensive for the peace of Bavaria should he summon you, a man whose name, widely known, is identified with the idea of a German Parliament and the agitation therewith associated; and all the more so, that it is not to be supposed that you would have renounced overnight principles which you have faithfully pursued so long and under such various circumstances. Accordingly, you cannot be said to have been actually traduced to the King; only I realise from certain remarks of Lutz's that the present policy of the Bavarian Government is more than ever separatist, and that there is an obvious inclination to seek Bismarck's protection. They flatter the King with the idea of the need of establishing a purely Bavarian Bavaria. Well, time and experience will not take long to dispose of this, but it is very sure that the Bavarian Government, as at present constituted, is thus and not otherwise, and until an entire change of policy and consequently of personnel takes place, your summons would be the signal for disorders which would be highly unwelcome to us both. Although the conscientious young King tried to persuade me to give him a detailed account of your development, of your tendencies and your views as touching the political significance of Bavaria and its relations with the German question for his guidance, I, myself, thought it better for the time being, and while things are as they are, to drop the question of your summons.
Recently, however, the attacks of the Liberal Party and of almost everyone upon Pfistermeister, on account of the removal of Neumayr and the shameless way in which the Secretary, driven into a corner, has tried to divert these attacks to myself and my relations with the King, have so brought the situation to a head that I am inclined to believe that a definite change is nearer than I thought. It is obvious to almost everyone that the removal of Pfistermeister and a modification of the powers hitherto possessed by the Cabinet would be of great service to the country. Pfistermeister has no political principles, and is guided solely by a mania for personal power, which he has established on an uncommonly broad basis during the last sixteen years by the barefaced bestowal of offices upon his minions. This was the matter which recently brought about the collision with Neumayr. [...]
How a reform is to be worked it is hard to say. I have not neglected to open the King's eyes, but I can go no farther. It is for him to find a way now that his eyes are open. I hope for the best, for I consider his talents in every respect extraordinary, nay miraculous. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 610