What is Alexander Hamilton saying in this: Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, 3 Sept. 1780
“The fundamental defect is a want [lack] of power in Congress. It may be said that it has originated from three causes:
– an excess of the spirit of liberty which has made the particular states show a jealousy [distrust] of all power not in their own hands, and this jealousy has led them to exercise a right of judging in the last resort of the measures recommended by Congress, and of acting according to their own opinions of their propriety or necessity;
– a diffidence [lack of confidence] in Congress of their own powers, by which they have been timid and indecisive in their resolutions, constantly making concessions to the states till they have scarcely left themselves the shadow of power;
– a want of sufficient means at their disposal to answer the public exigencies [urgent needs] and of vigor to draw forth those means, which have occasioned [caused] them to depend on the states.
The confederation too gives the power of the purse too entirely to the state legislatures. It should provide perpetual funds in the disposal of Congress  by a land tax, poll tax, or the like. All imposts upon commerce ought to be laid by Congress and appropriated to their use, for without certain revenues a government can have no power. That power which holds the purse strings absolutely must rule.”