William in vain endeavoured to induce those peers in whom he placed the greatest confidence to support his prerogative.

Some of them thought the proposed change salutary; others hoped to quiet the public mind by a liberal concession; and others had held such language when they were opposing the Place Bill that they could not, without gross inconsistency, oppose the Triennial Bill.

The whole House too bore a grudge to the other House, and had a pleasure in putting the other House in a most disagreeable dilemma.

Burnet, Pembroke, nay, even Caermarthen, who was very little in the habit of siding with the people against the throne, supported Shrewsbury.

"My Lord," said the King to Caermarthen, with bitter displeasure, "you will live to repent the part which you are taking in this matter." [377] The warning was disregarded; and the bill, having passed the Lords smoothly and rapidly, was carried with great solemnity by two judges to the Commons.
Of what took place in the Commons we have but very meagre accounts; but from those accounts it is clear that the Whigs, as a body, supported the bill, and that the opposition came chiefly from Tories.