The debate over Clay's Omnibus Bill was long and acrimonious.

On July 4, 1850, the President seemed triumphant.

But upon that day, notwithstanding his apparent robust health, he was stricken down with an acute disease and died five days later.

With his passing, the opposing Whig faction came into power.

The so-called compromise measures were at length one by one passed by Congress and approved by President Fillmore.
California was admitted as a free State; but as a palliative to the South, Congress passed bills for the organization of territorial Governments for New Mexico and Utah without positive declarations regarding the powers of the territorial Legislatures over slavery.