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House committee narrowly backs resolution urging Congress to recognize Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor as New Hampshire territory
Summary
After extended testimony and archival evidence presented by the state archivist, the committee voted 8–6 in favor of HR 45, a resolution asking Congress and the president to recognize Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor as lying within New Hampshire. Supporters cited historical seals and archival maps; opponents warned of legal hurdles and fiscal consequences.
A sharply contested committee vote on Jan. 16 produced an 8–6 recommendation to advance HR 45, a resolution urging Congress to recognize the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor as New Hampshire territory.
Representative Barton, prime sponsor, framed the resolution around historical records in the state archives and the imagery on New Hampshire’s seal that depicts the frigate Raleigh. "We would not put another state on our flag and on our seal since 1784," Barton told the committee, and he urged use of archival documents showing New Hampshire’s historical claim to the islands and harbor.
Archivist Ashley Miller said the state archives gathered…
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