He was a staunch defender of the great estates of the boyars,[1] and notably originated the conservative doctrine that "feudalism in Romania had never existed".

He believed that evolution, rather than violent revolution was the best way to modernize the Government, and would give the fledgling Romania the best chance at unity.

Arguably the most important act of his rule was his order to begin a railroad in Moldavia that would link the two provinces and greatly aid unification.

He also continued his support for the "old order"[3] and claimed that large estates were historically sanctioned[2] and were solely the property of the boyars.

He denied the right of the people to meet on the Bucharest "Field of Liberty" to commemorate the Revolution of 1848, an act which garnered him much animosity.

One week after the "Field of Liberty" Incident, on 20 June 1862, Catargiu was shot and killed at close range when leaving a parliamentary meeting.