On the fourteenth of March the Commons were summoned to the Upper House; the title of the Triennial Bill was read; and it was announced, after the ancient form, that the King and Queen would take the matter into their consideration.

The Parliament was then prorogued.
Soon after the prorogation William set out for the Continent.

It was necessary that, before his departure, he should make some important changes.

He was resolved not to discard Nottingham, on whose integrity, a virtue rare among English statesmen, he placed a well founded reliance.

Yet, if Nottingham remained Secretary of State, it was impossible to employ Russell at sea.