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 president of the council, and was succeeded by the Earl of Surry. The Duke of Marlborough was made Secretary of State for the southern department, and the Marquis of Kildare for the northern; Lord Sands and Mr. Stevens, retiring, with pensions. The Duke of Suffolk, Lord Privy-Seal, in the room of the Duke of St. Alban's, and the Duke of Grafton first Lord of the Admiralty, which then happened to be vacant by the death of the Duke of Athol. These were the principal alterations which were made in great offices of state.

But the above personages were not possessed of equal authority, or entrusted with the same confidence by the king. It was at first foreseen that the principal share of power would rest in the Duke of Suffolk, who possessed his Majesty's ear more than any of his other servants,