Although a staunch conservative , Frederick William did not seek to be a despot and so he toned down the reactionary policies enacted by his father , easing press censorship and promising to enact a constitution at some point , but refused to enact a popular legislative assembly , preferring to work with the aristocracy through `` united committees '' of the provincial estates .
In the beginning of his reign he did not continue the reactionary policies of his father , he reduced press censorship and promised a constitution , but he did not want a popular legislative assembly , but preferred to work with the aristocracy .