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===Compromise of 1850===

===Compromise of 1850===

The US acquired New Mexico, but Texas also claimed the Rio Grande to its source, thence north on the meridian to the 42nd parallel, thereby including parts of New Mexico as well as the future states of Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming. The dispute had national consequences because it involved lands north of 36°30'and was related to the divisive question of slavery in the territories. Congressional debate soon revealed that Texas was willing to compromise if some settlement of its outstanding indebtedness could be realized. The [[Compromise of 1850]] resolved the issue. The Texas debt, of approximately $10 million, was assumed by the United States as compensation for a reduction in the state's boundary claims. The northern limit was placed at the intersection of the 100th meridian and 36°30', thence west to the 103rd meridian, thence south to the 32nd parallel, then following that line to the Rio Grande, and along the channel of that river to the Gulf of Mexico.  

Texas claimed that the [[Rio Grande]] River - now settled as its southern boundary - also formed its western boundary (which supposedly continued north from its source to the 42nd parallel), which would give Texas parts of the present states of New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming. The dispute had national consequences because it involved lands north of [[Missouri Compromise|36°30']] and was related to the divisive question of slavery in the territories. In early 1850, Texas tried to send an expeditionary force to assert state authority in [[Santa Fe]]; President [[Zachary Taylor]], who claimed it as part of New Mexico territory, threatened war.  At the height of the quarrel, Taylor suddenly died.

 

His successor, [[Millard Filmore]], left the whole matter to Congress.  Congressional debate soon revealed that Texas was willing to compromise if some settlement of its outstanding indebtedness could be realized. The [[Compromise of 1850]] resolved the issue:  the Texas debt, of approximately $10 million, was assumed by the United States as compensation for Texas' agreement to its present borders. The northern limit was placed at the intersection of the 100th meridian and 36°30', thence west to the 103rd meridian, thence south to the 32nd parallel, then following that line to the Rio Grande, and along the channel of that river to the Gulf of Mexico.  

[[Image:Sam-Houston.jpg|thumb|225px]]

[[Image:Sam-Houston.jpg|thumb|225px]]