[Plutarch]

"[It is] our determination to prefer war in all cases to tribute under any form, and to any people whatever,"

Other quotations coined about that time:

“No; no; not a sixpence.”

CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY, American minister to France, letter to Timothy Pickering, October 27, 1797, relating the American response to a French request for a tribute or bribe [in the XYZ Affair].

"Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute."

Representative Robert Goodloe Harper, Address, June 18, 1798 (Harper was the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means)

[elbucko]

"Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute."

"We do not negotiate with terrorists". (the modern version of the same sentiment)