On account of the above bill being thrown out, ministers had considerable difficulty in raising the necessary supplies for the year, which were estimated at _eight millions and a half_, including, we suppose, secret-service money, which was now in great demand. The king experienced a fluctuating state of health, sometimes improving, again retrograding, up to the year 1768. In his speech, in the November of this year, his majesty announced, that much disturbance had been exhibited in some of the colonies, and a disposition manifested to throw aside their dependence upon Great Britain. Owing to this circumstance, a new office was created, under the name of "Secretary of State for the Colonies," and to which the Earl of Hillsborough was appointed. The Earl of Chatham having resigned, parliament was dissolved. Party spirit running high, the electioneering contests were unusually violent, and serious disorders occurred. Mr. Wilkes was returned for Middlesex; but, being committed to the King's Bench for libels on the government, the mob rescued Wilkes from the soldiers, who were conducting him thither. The military were ordered to fire on the people, and one man, who was singled out and pursued by the soldiers, was shot dead. A coroner's inquest brought this in _wilful murder_, though the higher authorities not only acquitted the magistrates and soldiers, but actually returned _public thanks_ to them! At this period, the heart sickens at the relations given of the punishments inflicted on many private soldiers in the guards. They were each allowed only four-pence per day. If they deserted and were re-taken, the poor delinquents suffered the dreadful infliction of five hundred lashes. The victims thus flagellated very seldom escaped with life! In the navy, also, the slightest offence or neglect was punished with inexpressible tortures. This infamous treatment of brave men can only be accounted for by the fact, that officers in the army and navy either bought their situations, or received them as a _compensation_ for some SECRET SERVICE performed for, or by the request of, the queen and her servile ministry. Had officers been promoted from the ranks, for performing _real_ services to their country, they would have then possessed more commiseration for their brothers in arms.