the “blessing of liberty” must be paid for in/with “blood and treasure”

[GoodTaste]

In 1714, the satirist Jonathan Swift stated that the “blessing of liberty” must be paid for in “blood and treasure”.1 As we look to events in Ukraine, the terrible price of freedom again becomes apparent.

Source: The Lancet.

Is “in blood and treasure” and “with blood and treasures” exchangeable?

 

[SoothingDave]

"With" would work, but "in" is normal. There is no reason to make "treasure" plural.

A related quote: Thomas Jefferson wrote "the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

 

[jutfrank]

Use in after pay when you want to state the thing (currency) that's going to be exchanged.

I'll pay you back in foot massages.
Can I pay in five-pence pieces?
You will pay in tears.