What does the quote, "Millions for defence, but not one cent for tribute!" mean in response to the XYZ Affair?

The Americans would pay millions of dollars for to defend their country but wouldn't pay on cent for for bribe in response to the XYZ affair

The quote means that America is willing to spend Millions for their defense but not one cent as Bribe

Explanation:

The XYZ affair was a diplomatic mission where by American diplomats were sent to meet up with French Diplomats in order to work together in stopping the looming Quasi war but the French Diplomats named / known as XYZ demanded that the American diplomats pay/bribe them before they would work with them, but the American diplomats declined.

America responded by saying they would rather spend millions of dollars defending its territories instead of paying a bribe to enable them work with the French diplomats.