What to do with old Mexico’s land?
The debate quickly raged out of hand
Should it be slave or free?
Where would border lines be?
Most important: would compromise stand?

Event: Senator Henry Clay proposes the Compromise of 1850, which resolved the issue of slavery in the states and territories for less than the length of a presidential term
Year: 1850
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compromise_of_1850