...solemn warning, which are rarely heard in diplomatic circles except on the eve of actual hostilities, 'It would be superfluous in me to point out to your Lordship that this is war.' But on the 8th of September he received a note, which saved Europe and America from incalculable evils,...

...that had been described in Seward's letter to him of July llth, and summed it up in the apt phrase: "It would be superfluous in me to point out to your lordship that this is war." Further discussion on his part he feared would be useless. Lord Russell apparently agreed with him....

...ready to leave the Mersey. Mr. Adams warned Lord John Russell (September 5) of the fact, saying, ' It would be superfluous in me to point out to your lordship that this is an act of war.' Lord John Russell replied, September 8 : ' Lord John Russell presents his compliments...

...ready to leave Laird's shipyards, when they were stopped by Lord Russell, to whom Adams wrote curtly, " It would be superfluous in me to point out to your Lordship that this is war." The damage done to the commerce of the United States by the Alabama and the other cruisers built in...

...debates of March, wrote his final note of protest, in which he used words that have become historic: "It would be superfluous in me to point out to your lordship that this is war." It was a fortunate accident that Adams's letter of the 5th crossed in the mails a further note from...

...English-built ships, he observed as calmly as though he were summing up a mathematical demonstration : " 'It would be superfluous in me to point out to your Lordship that this is war. ... In my belief it is impossible that any nation, retaining a proper degree of self-respect, could...

...took the responsibility of stopping her, and eventually purchased both vessels. Adams's quiet hint, "It would be superfluous in me to point out to your lordship that this is war," came after orders had been issued for the detention, but was a hint which could not be mistaken, and...

...reserve, and, after a long series of vain protests, Mr. Adams said in the language of solemn warning, "It would be superfluous in me to point out to your Lordship that this is war." Thereupon the British government ended the controversy by buying the two vessels and adding them to...

...Protests even then were in vain, and it was not until Mr. Adams wrote down the famous words, " It is superfluous in me to point out to your lordship that this is war," that the rams were stopped and English ports ceased to send forth privateers. In the great life-and-death...

...interfering. To this Mr. Adams instantly replied that he received the communication with great regret, adding, "It would be superfluous in me to point out to your Lordship that this is war." Lord Russell hastily reconsidered his opinion, and ordered the rams to be stopped. He afterwards, as...