Henry Clay delivered a proposal to Congress designed to address the contentious issue of slavery’s expansion into newly acquired territories from the Mexican-American War. The proposal, later known as the Compromise of 1850, encompassed five key provisions: California was to be admitted as a free state, the territories of New Mexico and Utah would decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, the Texas-New Mexico boundary would be resolved in favor of New Mexico, the slave trade would be abolished in Washington D.C., and a stricter Fugitive Slave Act would be enforced. Clay, often referred to as the 'Great Compromiser,' aimed to ease sectional tensions through this multifaceted approach.

The backdrop of this proposal was a nation increasingly divided over the issue of slavery, particularly heightened by events such as the Gold Rush and the acquisition of vast territories post-war with Mexico. As Congress grappled with the delicate balance of power between free and slave states, Clay’s compromise sought to avert civil conflict by addressing the interests of both sides. Clay’s introduction of these measures sparked extensive debate within Congress, as various factions rallied for or against each provision.

An interesting aspect of this introduction was the diverse coalition of support and opposition it rallied. Among supporters were moderates who believed in the necessity of compromise, while opponents included radical abolitionists and fervent pro-slavery advocates. The debates surrounding this proposal would ultimately lay the groundwork for further conflicts over slavery, particularly leading to the Civil War, despite the temporary resolutions it attempted to provide.