I have been guilty of unconscious embroidery in The Corner

yesterday–Churchill’s letter to the Japanese charge d’affaires declaring

war on Japan was not as florid as I “remembered.” Here is the actual text. I

do recall, though, that there were complaints about it being too polite, and

Churchill’s reply to those complaints. “I have, &c.” is a standard

abbreviation for the full nine yards: “I have the honour to be, Sir, with

consideration, your most humble, most obedient servant….”