A compromise reached to resolve the range of issues raised in the context of the California's gold rush and unexpected application for statehood.  Originally proposed as a single package, it was eventually guided through by Stephen Douglas as five separate pieces of legislation.  Each measure enjoyed solid support in the region it favored, but owed final passage to a few key votes from the border states.
 

--  California was admitted as a free state, without first passing through territorial status.
 

--  New Mexico and Utah were organized as territories; their legislatures were free to determine the status of slavery (later claimed by Douglas to be a form of popular sovereignty).
 

--  The border of Texas and New Mexico was redrawn in New Mexico's favor; Texas was compensated with $10 million to help pay its state debt (that dated from its years of independence).
 

--  The slave trade was abolished in the District of Columbia, while slavery was left in effect there.
 

--  A new, tougher Federal fugitive slave law was adopted, allowing broad powers to owners and few rights to accused fugitives in Federal (and not state) court..