Compromise of 1850: Section 2: An Act proposing to the State of Texas the Establishment of her Northern and Western Boundaries […] and to establish a territorial Government for New Mexico Summary

Don't Mess with Texas, Unless You're Making New Mexico

• Texas's northern boundary is defined, and Texas gives up all claims to land that isn't within the described borders.
• The U.S. will take on all of Texas's debt, including payment for all the military stuff the U.S. is now confiscating.
• Plus, the U.S. will pay Texas 10 million dollars plus interest over the next 14 years.
• Texas will get its money as soon as the federal government is sure that Texas will accept its terms and not a minute before.
• The Territory of New Mexico is created with very specific boundaries.
• New Mexico can decide it if wants to be a slave state or a free state.
• New Mexico will have a governor with a four-year term, who has a number of powers.
• New Mexico will also have a secretary with a four-year term, who'll keep the federal government up-to-date with the territory's legislation.
• New Mexico will have a legislature made up of a House of Representatives and a Council of 13 members. Representation in the House will be determined by evenly divided districts, which will be determined by a census.
• All white male residents age 21 and over will have the right to vote (if they're citizens of the U.S.).
• The legislature of New Mexico has to follow the rules of the Constitution as it writes laws.
• The governor and legislature can create positions and appoint people as needed.
• Representatives can't get higher office or raises while in office, or for a year after they leave office.
• There will be a Supreme Court of New Mexico, plus a number of lower courts. The Supreme Court will only hear cases dealing with more than $1,000 of property, or slaves.
• New Mexico will have an attorney general with a four-year term, who'll have the same restrictions and salary as the attorney general of the Oregon territory.
• All the listed officials will be nominated and have to be approved by the U.S. Senate, and here's what we'll be paying them.
• New Mexico can elect someone to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Certain parts of the land have to be set aside for schools and Shmoop offices.
• All Constitutional law is applicable in New Mexico.