evidence: Dear Quote Investigator: Are you familiar with the "liberty teeth" speech attributed to George Washington? Researchers have been unable to find evidence that Washington delivered this address, and some phrases are apparently anachronistic. Would you please explore its provenance? [...] They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence — From the hour the Pilgrims landed, to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace, security and happiness, the rifle and the pistol are equally indispensable — The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honour with all that’s good. [...] I wonder, too, whether George Washington actually said that "firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself" and "deserve a place of honor with all that’s good."