After the war , disputes over the extension of slavery into the territories raised sectional tensions . Unlike most of his Southern colleagues , Houston voted for the Oregon Bill of 1848 , which organized Oregon Territory as a free territory . Defending his vote to create a territory that excluded slavery , Houston stated , " I would be the last man to wish to do anything injurious to the South , but I do not think that on all occasions we are justified in agitating slavery . " He criticized both Northern abolitionists and Democratic followers of Calhoun as extremists who sought to undermine the union . He supported the Compromise of 1850 , a sectional compromise on slavery on the territories . Under the compromise , California was admitted as a free state , the slave trade was prohibited in the District of Columbia , a more stringent fugitive slave law was passed , and Utah Territory and New Mexico Territory were established . Texas gave up some of its claims on New Mexico , but it retained El Paso , and the United States assumed Texas 's large public debt . Houston sought the Democratic nomination in the 1852 presidential election , but he was unable to consolidate support outside of his home state . The 1852 Democratic National Convention ultimately nominated a compromise nominee , Franklin Pierce , who went on to win the election
1852 Democratic National Convention
1852 Democratic National Convention
Sam Houston