An open letter

To his Excellency Governor, John H. Lunch and to the members of the N.H. General Court,

I have a response to the Legislative Budget Assistant’s office who has recommended that the NH Department of Fish and Game attempt to collect fees from hikers and birdwatchers and it is this, “Take a hike!”

I was born and raised in Conway. My early childhood was spent in an area that is now the beginning of NH Route 112 which is the eastern end of the Kancamaugus Highway (if you can utter August you can say KancaMAUGUS). Like many of the natives of this area I have spent, do spend and will spend a great deal of time walking about the forest and mountains; along the rivers and streams of this beautiful part of my home.

If the Legislature is so hard up for money that they will even consider taxing the people for what is our sacred right to walk unimpeded upon our sovereign land, then we are indeed approaching the point wherein we can with bold confidence declare the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual.*

In that eternal spirit of the good and happiness of mankind I here and now serve notice, Irrespective of any action by the General Court of New Hampshire or any agency or executive order or decree, I will NEVER render any payment whatsoever to any government for exercising my God given right to move about on the public lands of New Hampshire.

"Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils."- General John Stark, American Patriot

Mark Hounsell , N.H. State Senate (1984-1988), Conway , NH

* Part One Article 10, of the NH State Constitution.