But even with alterations, the American remonstrance was so bold as to alarm Adams.

On first perusual he wrote in his diary, June 10, "The Government seems almost ready to declare war with all the powers of Europe, and almost instructs me to withdraw from communication with the Ministers here in a certain contingency....

I scarcely know how to understand Mr.
Seward.

The rest of the Government may be demented for all I know; but he surely is calm and wise.

My duty here is in so far as I can do it honestly to prevent the irritation from coming to a downright quarrel.
It seems to me like throwing the game into the hands of the enemy[212]." Adams, a sincere admirer of Seward, was in error as to the source of American belligerent attitude.