1776 still lives in New Hampshire
DATE: Thursday, July 3, 2025
AUTHOR: Hon. Eric Brakey - Executive Director, Free State Project
It was a beautiful idea: "liberty."
249 years ago, Thomas Jefferson and our forefathers dedicated our country's mission to that purpose.
Along the way, however, our general government changed.
At the Constitutional Convention several years later, the nationalists and the federalists fought over what form of general government was to rule us.
James Madison, an adamant nationalist at the time (allied with Alexander Hamilton), sought a strong central government to rule over the states.
As the architect of the Constitution, however, he left that convention understanding the federalists had won — establishing a Constitutional framework that would preserve individual state sovereignty over centralized rule.
When Ben Franklin emerged from that convention, he was asked, "What kind of government have you given us?"
To this, Franklin famously replied, "A republic, if you can keep it."
Cartoon by David Horsey in The Seattle Times, Aug. 18, 2023.
But we did not keep it.
Over the next 10 generations, the states were gradually subordinated as our general government accumulated undelegated powers — transitioning from federalism to nationalism and then finally to global imperialism.
Now, an empire stands in place of our once proud republic.
The words "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are quaint echoes of the America we once sought to be...
...except in New Hampshire, where the spirit of 1776 — and the mission of Thomas Jefferson — still lives and grows stronger each day.
We may have lost the republic, but we’re rebuilding it here.
Taste the Revolution. Over 1,400 joined us in June at the 22nd annual Porcupine Freedom Festival and taste the revolution taking place in the Free State of New Hampshire — where liberty lovers are concentrating to build community, shape politics, and establish a state where the maximum role of government is protecting life, liberty, and property.
At PorcFest XXII last month, we welcomed liberty lovers from across America and the world to Lancaster, New Hampshire.
All week long, I saw communities growing stronger and heard so many telling me, "Our family has made the decision to move to the Free State."
In the aftermath, this year's PorcFest has been receiving many accolades from attendees, including from one of our friends on the West Coast.
David Friedman (economist, author of "The Machinery of Freedom," and son of the late Nobel-prize winner, Milton Friedman) is a regular speaker and participant at PorcFest.
Last week, he wrote on Substack:
"New Hampshire is not yet a libertarian utopia but it has been visibly moving in that direction."
"If I ever move out of California... it will probably be to New Hampshire; there are thousands of people there with whom I already have a connection and a good deal in common."
"The FSP’s summer event, the Porcupine Freedom Festival, is the only libertarian event in the US that I regularly attend."
"The feel is casual, friendly, vaguely hippy, with a lot of children, dogs, people cooking and selling food. It’s a friendly mix of blue and red tribe culture — vegan gluten-free brownies, bitcoin, open carry of firearms..."
"The male/female ratio at most libertarian events is high, about ten to one at some of my European talks where my wife counted the audience. At Porcfest it was more like three to two, largely married couples with children."
Read the full "PorcFest" write-up by David Friedman on Substack.
Pictured: David Friedman and Allison Yaffee (Research Associate with Libertarianism.org) on the final day of PorcFest XXII, as all gather on the field for the annual group photo featured above.
I was glad to read last week that David Friedman had a positive PorcFest experience
This week, it appears that we remain fondly on his mind as he's written another piece, comparing the libertarian Free State community to the libertarian "rationalists" on the west coast.
Its definitely worth a read.
To David Friedman (who occasionally reads this newsletter), thank you for joining us over all these years at PorcFest and for sharing your experiences with others.
"Practically everyone at Porcfest was a libertarian as were many of the rationalists at Less Online but the cultural feel of the two events was different, hippy/conservative at Porcfest, Bay Area grey tribe at Less Online."
"The intellectual differences are reflected in the two schedules. The Free Staters were interested in practical things, things they were doing — buying land in New Hampshire, what fruit trees could grow where, how to raise their children, how to win local elections."
"In conversation, the Free Staters seemed more likely to have beliefs they thought up for themselves, less likely to be following out the logic of an argument they got from someone else.
"The cultural difference between the two groups is the difference between the cultures of flyover country and the bicoastal elite, each in its most attractive form."
Read the full "Two Communities" article by David Friedman on Substack.
As PorcFest was concluding in these recent weeks, so too was this year's session of the New Hampshire state legislature.
This year saw the passage of universal school choice (Education Freedom Accounts), total repeal of the state vehicle inspection mandate, and the establishment of the country's first state-level strategic Bitcoin reserve.
With thanks to the efforts of nearly 100 liberty legislators inside the capital (and direct support from outside grassroots liberty activists), the project for a Free New Hampshire made several significant policy steps forward.
On this week's episode of the Porcupine Report, I was joined by Representative Michael Granger (leader of the House Liberty Caucus) to discuss the results of this year's session.
Ep. 70. "Tales from the House." Representative Michael Granger dives into how Free Staters played a critical role in eliminating New Hampshire’s mandatory vehicle inspection requirement. He outlines the creative grassroots tactics that mobilized public support, including a targeted flyer campaign that generated hundreds of personal testimonies to lawmakers. Granger also highlights the Free Staters’ influence on expanding universal school choice, sharing his own plans to use Education Freedom Accounts for his son. The conversation explores efforts to increase public school choice, defend the Guard legislation, and a heated pension reform debate involving Governor Kelly Ayotte. The episode closes with reflections on the long-term push for liberty and the continued dismantling of cronyism in the Granite State. Click here for the full episode.
If you want to hear even more about liberty milestones from the NH state legislature, be sure to watch this conversation between Joel Valenzuela and NH Rep. Keith Ammon.
Keith is the author of the nation's first strategic Bitcoin reserve law. Joel is one of New Hampshire's leading advocates for alternative cryptocurrencies.
Together, they met at Consensus in Toronto last May and recorded this podcast conversation for the Digital Cash Network, published just this week.
First Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. At Consensus Toronto last May, Joel Valenzuela (Free Stater) interviewed NH State Representative Keith Ammon (Free Stater) about his role in passing the first ever strategic Bitcoin reserve bill in the U.S., as well as the general strategy to make New Hampshire a crypto haven. Click here for the full interview.
While this year's PorcFest and Liberty Forum are now behind us (and the legislative season has come to a rest), there is still a full year of opportunity ahead to build liberty community and the Free State.
Mark your calendar for Columbus Day weekend.
On Sunday, October 12, the Free State Bitcoin Digital Asset Conference returns with discussion on the cutting edge issues and opportunities in the emerging realm of cryptocurrencies.
For the entire three-day weekend (October 11-13), our friends at Independence Realty are also organizing multiple events for Fall Fest in the Free State. There will fun for the whole family, including apple picking, corn mazes, and more.
I'll be sharing more information about these events in future newsletters, but expect many good reasons for liberty lovers to join us in New Hampshire this autumn.
More immediately, however, I want to invite you to join me and the North Country Porcupines later this month for the Freedom Palooza Music Festival (July 25-27).
(As a thank you for reading this newsletter, please use my discount code — Porcupine2025 — to save 5% on your Freedom Palooza tickets.)
I was disappointed to miss out on Freedom Palooza last year (as I was in the process of moving into my new home in New Hampshire).
The musical acts are great, the region is beautiful, and the North Country Porcupines are a wonderful community of liberty lovers to spend time with.
That's why I will be at Freedom Palooza in three-and-a-half weeks — and I hope to see you there!
I have already purchased my ticket to camp out for the full weekend — and I look forward to singing a song or three with my friends in the Free State Acoustics.
Visit for a day (day passes are available) or stay for the whole weekend at Roaring Brook Farm in the NH North Country.
Click here to grab your tickets to Freedom Palooza — and use my discount code "Porcupine2025" to save 5% on the sale price.
Later this summer, we have a big outreach opportunity that requires leaving the Granite State's borders.
On August 9th, many Free Staters are heading to Texas for Ron Paul's 90th birthday celebration — hosted by our friends at Young Americans for Liberty and sponsored by the Free State Project.
On a personal note, Ron Paul has been a mentor to me over the last fourteen years. I am honored to attend as an invited special guest.
For the cause of liberty, Ron Paul inspired the libertarian-populist wave that shapes the course of the American liberty movement to this day.
(For the FSP, we also want a strong delegation from the Free State present to build connections with potential movers and visitors from the libertarian diaspora.)
I hope you will consider joining us in Lake Jackson for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion of the Ron Paul Revolution.
Click here to secure your ticket for Ron Paul's 90th Birthday BBQ.
As a final note, I want to congratulate new movers, Tyler and Sara, on the soft opening of "The Jefferson" restaurant at the Independence Inn.
Many Free Staters stopped by this morning to try their new brunch menu — and we snapped a photo afterward to mark the occasion.
(Speaking now from personal experience, you can't go wrong with the "Carnitas Eggs Benedict.")
As we approach Independence Day tomorrow, its nice to say, "Jefferson lives in New Hampshire."
It is my honor to serve as Executive Director of the FSP.
If you would like to support our continued outreach efforts, then please CLICK HERE to become a patron of the Free State Project.
Thank you for supporting our mission to achieve "Liberty in Our Lifetime" — one new mover at a time.
Please read on for more of our weekly newsletter from the Free State, prepared by our Communications Director, Mahgdalen Rose.
For Liberty!
Hon. Eric Brakey
Executive Director
Free State Project
Carla's Corner
"Day 184 of My Living Xperiment: If the Free State Project is a cult... who is its charismatic leader?"
FSP Board Chair, Carla Gericke, responds to humorous claims from Granite State Matters leader, Jeanne Dietsch, that the Free State Project is a cult. She points out that a cult requires a charismatic leader, but the Free State libertarian philosophy of personal autonomy and individualism encourages everyone to be their own leader.
Let’s pretend Elon Musk decided he’s done tweeting about the collapse of civilization and actually wants to do something about it NOW. Not with another AI chatbot or Martian colony (although, yes please, Mars sounds fab, save me a seat!), but with the boldest move since 1776: Fifty mini-revolutions.
Not with guns, but ideas. Not by tearing it down, but by building new from the inside out. A decentralized “America First” political movement—state by sovereign state. Think:
🡆 New Hampshire First
🡆 Texas First
🡆 California First (I know, lol, but maybe, they have CALExit, at least)
🡆 Insert-Your-State-Here First
A national framework, sure—but with all the real action happening locally. It’s federalism on fire. Nullify federal overreach. Defend local autonomy. Restore the American experiment, one state at a time. And yes, leverage existing Libertarian Party networks, because guess what? We’re already here, we’ve already been doing the work, and we’re ready. At least here in New Hampshire, we are, where thousands of libertarians have quietly been building the freest state in the nation.
News from the Free State
David Friedman: "Two Communities: New Hampshire libertarians and Berkeley Rationalists"
CBS: "Mandatory annual car inspections to be eliminated in New Hampshire with new law"
NH Bulletin: "New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional race in 2026 could be a rematch: Democratic U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander and Republican Lily Tang Williams are the only two declared candidates so far"
NHPR: "Map: Where are fireworks allowed in New Hampshire?"
NH Bulletin: "Ayotte signs two-year state budget, closing turbulent final chapter"
NH Bulletin: "The New Hampshire budget was last week’s main event — but that’s not all lawmakers voted on"
WMUR: "Viewers' Choice 2025: Best ice cream in New Hampshire"
NH Magazine: "Where to pick your own blueberries in NH"
NH Magazine: "Tubing Your Way Through the Granite State: River tubing is a great way to enjoy water, sun and scenic views"
NHPR: "Interested in NH's expanded school vouchers? Here's what you need to know."
WCYY: "New Hampshire Ranked Among the Best Tippers in the US"
"There's nothing about New Hampshire that's worse than us." Matt Gagne of WGAN corrects the Democrat Speaker of the Maine House. New Hampshire manages to maintain property taxes that are lower (or on par) with rates in Maine — all while having no income tax or sales tax. Why is Maine falling so far behind New Hampshire? Watch the clip here.
As Seen In the Free State
PorcFest XXII
We have begun publishing recorded content from this year's Porcupine Freedom Festival.
Just as we did earlier this year with the NH Liberty Forum, we will be publishing PorcFest content on a rolling basis, multiple times a week, across multiple social media platforms. Please find below all content published since our last newsletter!
You can find all video content from FSP events on YouTube and all audio-only content on our Spotify podcast channel: "FSP Talks."
Ross Ulbricht at PorcFest (Short Cut).
Recently freed after over a decade in prison, Ross Ulbricht greets the PorcFest crowd for the first time ever and gives an emotional speech reflecting on his journey, the support he received, and the inner freedom he discovered while incarcerated. He expresses deep gratitude to the PorcFest community, calling them the first and most consistent source of love and advocacy during his imprisonment. Ross shares how he learned that true freedom begins in the mind, and that relinquishing desperate desire—even for freedom itself—was key to his spiritual liberation. His message emphasizes peace, gratitude, and presence, urging others to let go of endless striving and embrace what they already have.
Bob Murphy: "Trump's Economic Agenda: The Good, the Bad, and the Funny"
Bob Murphy delivers a sharp and engaging analysis of economic controversies during the Trump administration, taking on hot-button topics such as Social Security fraud, reciprocal tariffs, and the ever-growing national debt. He unpacks Elon Musk’s viral claim about 150-year-olds in the Social Security database, exposing it as a blend of fraud, bureaucratic inertia, and misinformation. Murphy then dismantles the logic behind Trump’s tariff strategy and the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which paradoxically pairs spending cuts with deficit-expanding tax reductions. With his signature libertarian lens, he sounds the alarm on looming financial instability fueled by reckless Federal Reserve policies and unsustainable entitlement programs. This talk cuts through the noise to deliver a clear-eyed, thought-provoking perspective on today’s most pressing economic debates. Don’t miss the full conversation for smart insights on trade policy, debt dynamics, and fiscal responsibility.
Watch his full remarks from PorcFest XXII.
Some Upcoming Events:
Thursday, July 3rd
Lancaster, 6pm-8 - North Country Open Mic & Jam w/ The Hat Guy - Bring your instrument and/or voice to The ‘Pine clubhouse for an evening of live music with a musicians/music fans/Porcupines meetup. Play and sing, or sing with a guitarist, or hang out and enjoy the music. Hosted by the Hat Guy. (the Pine, 70 Main St, Lancaster)
Manchester, 7pm-10 - New Mover Potluck - All liberty lovers are invited to join us in welcoming the newest movers of the great liberty migration! Even if you have been here for a while and this is your first opportunity to join the community, come on down! We want to welcome you home as a new mover. New movers eat free! Hosted by Patrick Binder. (the Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester)
Friday, July 4th
Concord, 12pm-10 - The Agora - Anti-Federalist Celebration - "The Agora” is a free environment by itself, but the vendors, teachers, and other members of the community make it into something different every month, depending on demand. Thanks to everyone who contributes, it makes our culture richer! This month we will be celebrating our true founding fathers, the anti-federalists. They tried to save our country from the monster that the federal reserve has become. At 5pm Milo will be reciting a 75-minute-long play-by-play of the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775! Fireworks at dusk. Hosted by Dylan. (the Prickle, 74 Curtisville Rd)
Saturday, July 5th
Manchester, 11:30am-1pm - Merrimack Valley Porcupines Monthly - Every first Saturday folks who are passionate about liberty gather for MVP, the Merrimack Valley. Hosted by Jeremy Olson. (the Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester)
Sunday, July 6th
Candia, 1:30pm-4 - Garnet School Ruck - 1:30: Ruck/forage/fire-building, 3:30: Grill it! Bring your grillables, 4:30: GBWW discussion group. Hosted by Mike Rohan. (Garnet School Ruck Club)
Manchester, 5pm-7:30 - Manchester Crypto Meetup - We’re not trying to shill any coin, token, or project. We are a group of individuals and businesses in support of cryptocurrency and its everyday uses. Hosted by Matt Ping. (Strange Brew, 88 Market St, Manchester)
Keene, 5pm-6 - Social Sunday - Enjoy the company of other liberty-loving people at NH's longest-running activist social! Hosted by Chris Waid. (Local Burger, 82 Main St, Keene)
Nashua, 6pm-8 - Nashua Liberty Social - Weekly Nashua Meet-Up - Location varies each week. This calendar event is typically updated by 2PM on Sunday. Meet-ups are generally within about a 10 minute drive of the downtown area. Hosted by Jeff Creem