The federal government is attempting to make everyday life for convicted tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown so uncomfortable they will surrender and begin serving their 63-month federal prison sentence.

Stephen Monier, U.S. marshal in New Hampshire, said yesterday the government has severed the Browns' telephone service, Internet access and power to their hilltop home in Plainfield.

He acknowledged, however, that other people are supplying the Browns with laptop computers, providing them with Internet access. Ed Brown also built his home with solar panels and windmills for power and also has backup generators.

But, Monier said, patience is a virtue and the federal government is prepared to wait out the Browns.

"We have no intention of assaulting the house," he said again yesterday. "We are committed to end this peacefully."

He said there are no federal agents in Plainfield or surveillance teams in camouflage watching the fortified home at 401 Center of Town Road.

The Internet is rife with rumors, he said.

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On Tuesday, his office was swamped with callers, he said - at one point about 200 calls an hour were being handled - expressing sentiments such as "Don't kill the Browns," "Leave them alone," and "They didn't do anything."

The calls, he said, were prompted by an web site urging people to call his office as well as that of the Sullivan County sheriff and the governor.

The Browns have been holed up in their home since last January after their convictions. Ed Brown has threatened violence if federal agents attempt to arrest them.

Last Thursday, dozens of heavily armed federal agents and state troopers, including SWAT teams and military and explosives vehicles, converged on Plainfield. Agents had a court order to enter the West Lebanon building housing Elaine Brown's dental practice.

That morning, a man walking the Browns' dog inadvertently came upon a surveillance team of U.S. federal agents in camouflage in the woods at the end of the couple's driveway. He was taken into custody, questioned at length and was released hours later uncharged.

Ed Brown said he was convinced the federal agents were going to storm his home that day, but Monier denies that.

The Browns were convicted of plotting to hide their income to avoid paying federal income taxes on Elaine Brown's income of $1.9 million between 1996 and 2003.

They also were convicted of using $215,890 in postal money orders, cashed in smaller amounts to avoid tax-reporting levels, to pay for their home and her dental office.

The Browns were sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $215,890 to the federal government.