
          The report which you have heard repecting # an insult offered by our [cale?] enemy to
the flag of rhe U.S. [added: difficult as it may be to believe] is ineed, most substantially true, and is certainly well worthy
the attention of our Government. The particulars of this unexpected outrage, I will
now [added: briefly] detail to the best of my recollection, as I have been a witness to the whole transaction. 
*[crossed out: About 2th pm or on the aft. of the 16th [?] Gun Boat 168 commanded
by Sailing Master Hubbard. having been ordered to St. Mary's by
Com. Campbell with a dispatch for Ad. C. at [2pm?] on the after. of the 16th
inst. we crossed [?] Bar and [?] to the Southward. At about 4
we fell in with H. [?] that Bomb Ship Erebus who on approaching us fired
a gun to windward, and shortly after discharged a ball which passed
over our heads. However, extraordinary this mode of bringing us to might app
& although we might [crossed out: at that time] [added: rightly?] have made our escape we immediately hoisted
our ensign and [crossed out: ?] [hastened?] to give him an opportunity of speaking
us, [crossed out: and] were soon along side. The first salutation we received from
the Com. of the Erebus, [crossed out: ?] expressed in the most abusive [added: & [?]] language
was an order to Mr. H to lower down his boat and come on board
instantly or by G-d he would sink us! Mr. H calmly replied that he
commanded a U S. vessel, had a dispatch on board for the [?] Admiral
and that [crossed out: it was contrary to his order if he] [added: he would not] leave his vessel without being
compelled to do so adding that if he was not satisfied he might send
an [?] on [?] or us
        