$6 COX. words; he had an order from the treasury given him for an abatement of one moiety of his quit-rent for ever; and he was also appointed, without solicitation, one of the commissioners for forfeitures, with a salary of 400l. per annum, In so responsible and arduous a situation, it was impos sible for Sir Richard Cox to escape the attacks which were levelled at him by the parties which were then forming in Ireland, and which have continued increasing till the pre sent day. He still continued to act as he had always done, with probity and justice; and though a friend to religious liberty, he did not allow himself the slightest partiality. This upright conduct incensed the violent of both par ties against him, that his downfall was peculiarly aimed a t , particularly i n the case o f the Galway men, i n which h e insisted with s o much eloquence and ability o n the duty o f preserving the public faith, b y adhering t o the articles o f capitulation, that h e brought over the remainder o f the commissioners t o his opinion, and saved the estates o f the claimants. Shortly after this, b y the manoeuvres o f the violent party a t the head o f affairs, h e was superseded a t the council board, with high compliments for his past services, and a n apology drawn from the jealousy enter tained b y the subject, lest b y s o many judges sitting a t the council board, i t might a t length grow into a court o f judicature. To countenance this excuse, another judge, but without his abilities, was superseded a t the same time. An attempt was a t the same period made t o prejudice the king against Sir Richard, t o whom h e was much attached, b y obtaining a vote, “that the Irish forfeitures were mismanaged.” He was, however, heard before the com mittee; and Sir Richard Bulkley having produced a long string o f charges against the commissioner, was answered o n the instant b y Sir Richard Cox with s o much candour and clearness, that the objections were entirely done away with, and the vote consequently lost. The party, there
