
          that he [could/cared?] not [crossed out: for him nor the U.S.] a damn for his dispatches not the US. come
this instant on board or by G-d he would send Thunder into him! [Mr.?] replyd
he should return him [lightning?] as far as he was abble, and only wished he was
on board a 20 gun ship for his sake. We were within pistol shot, and could
hear every thing that was said on board. All hands were at [gunnery/gun duty?]. An officer,
I suppose the first [?], [word illegible] should [?] to the commander asked [crossed out: [?] him
if he should fire - to which in a half smothered tone he replyd [?], and
hailing [crossed out; ?] again. very condescendingly informed us that if we would heave ho on
the  Starboard tack he would send his boat on board! The boat soon [crossed out: arrived]
arrived with an officer who [still?] insisted that Mr. H must go on board, and
who being asked to give an explanation of this [?] [?] observed that they [added: after the restoration of peace]
had orders to order every vessel off the coast and that they should convey
to Charleston! with some other observations equally absurd and inconsistent.
[crossed out: on the refusal of] as Mr. H still refused he go on board, the officer departed
[crossed out: at] at the same time declaring that we should be immediately [?] and
sunk for our temerity; and according he had no sooner reached his
vessel than a [crossed out: ?] [therby?] 2 full [caronades?] [?] the centre of our
mainsail [?] and was instantly followed by a musket ball wh
passed within a few inches of Mr. H [?], [added: & which was [?] aimed at him] when he lost no time [?]
ordering one of the after guns to be cleared away the contents of
which was sent into the Erebus, when we haled down our colors
to the comanders ranked with [?] 
        