The Imperfections of Our National System

We may indeed with propriety be said to have reached almost the last stage of national humiliation. Are we in a condition to resent or to repel the aggression? We have neither troops nor treasury nor government. Is commerce of importance to national wealth? Ours is at the lowest point of declension. The imbecility of our government even forbids them to treat with us. Our ambassadors abroad are the mere pageants of mimic sovereignty.