How we cite our quotes: (Act.Section.Line)
Quote #1
The State of Texas cedes to the United States all her claim to territory exterior to the limits and boundaries which she agrees to establish by the first article of this agreement. The State of Texas relinquishes all claim upon the United States for liability of the debts of Texas, and for compensation or indemnity for the surrender to the United States of her ships, forts, arsenals, custom-houses, custom-house revenue, arms and munitions of war, and public buildings with their sites, which became the property of the United States at the time of the annexation. (Texas.Section 1.4-5)
Texas was an independent republic for a few years, but just before the Mexican-American War it was annexed into the United States—which meant it had to submit to the authority of the central U.S. government. Part of the Compromise of 1850 involved dealing with how to get Texas to accept that arrangement and relinquish some of its own power. Spoiler alert: money talks.
Quote #2
[…] nothing in this act contained shall be construed to inhibit the government of the United States from dividing said Territory into two or more Territories, in such manner and at such times as Congress shall deem convenient and proper, or from attaching any portion thereof to any other Territory or State. (Texas.Section 2.3-4)
There are a lot of parts of the Compromise of 1850 that outline how the governments of the new states will be set up. Here, though, is a not-so-gentle reminder that the federal government is still the big man on campus until you're officially a state. Then you get to decide lots of stuff for yourself.
Quote #3
And be it further enacted, That the executive power and authority in and over said Territory of New Mexico shall be vested in a governor […] until his successor shall be appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed by the President of the United States. The governor shall reside within said Territory, shall be commander-in-chief of the militia thereof […] and shall approve all laws passed by the legislative assembly before they shall take effect. (Texas.Section 3.1-2)
Setting up governments in the new western territories meant creating a power structure for those territories. The final result gave power to the position of governor, but also kept some for the federal government. POTUS couldn't fire the governor of a state, but he could ax the governor of a territory. You can see why the territories were so hot to become states as soon as they could.
Quote #4
And be it further enacted, That the legislative power and authority of said Territory shall be vested in the governor and a legislative assembly. The legislative assembly shall consist of a Council and House of Representatives […] An apportionment shall be made, as nearly equal as practicable, among the several counties or districts, for the election of the Council and House of Representatives, giving to each section of the Territory representation in the ratio of its population, (Indians excepted,) as nearly as may be. (Texas.Section 5.1, 5)
The territorial governments created by the Compromise are basically the same set up as the federal government (and for the official states). Even though there's a governor for the new territories, there's also a legislature that wields power and makes sure that the governor has limits. Checks and balances, yo. And isn't it something that the original inhabitants of the U.S. are relegated to a parenthesis? All this discussion about territories and governments, and…Indians excepted.
Quote #5
That it shall be the duty of all marshals and deputy marshals to obey and execute all warrants and precepts issued under the provisions of this act, when to them directed; and should any marshal or deputy marshal refuse to receive such warrant, or other process, when tendered, or to use all proper means diligently to execute the same, he shall, on conviction thereof, be fined in the sum of one thousand dollars, to the use of such claimant. (Fugitive Slave Act.Section 5.1)
The newer, more aggressive Fugitive Slave Act was freaking out the North. It gave the marshals more responsibility to enforce this particular law, whether they wanted to or not. Nothing says coercion like a heavy fine.