The duke of Ormond was dismissed from his command, which the king restored to the duke of Marlborough, whom he likewise appointed colonel of the first regiment of foot guards, and master of the ordnance.

The great seal was given to lord Cowper; the privy seal to the earl of Wharton; the government of Ireland to the earl of Sunderland.

The duke of Devonshire was made steward of the household; lord Townshend and Mr.Stanhope were appointed secretaries of state; the post of secretary for Scotland was bestowed upon the duke of Montrose.

The duke of Somerset was constituted master of the horse; the duke of St.Alban's captain of the band of pensioners; and the duke of Argyle commander-in-chief of the forces in Scotland.
Mr.Pulteney became secretary at war; and Mr.Walpole, who had already undertaken to manage the house of commons, was gratified with the double place of paymaster to the army and to Chelsea-hospital.

A new privy-council was appointed, and the earl of Nottingham declared president; but all affairs of consequence were concerted by a cabinet-council, or junto, composed of the duke of Marlborough, the earls of Nottingham and Sunderland, the lords Halifax, Townshend, and Somers, and general Stanhope.