All questions relating to title to slaves were to be left to the courts.
Meantime it was left in doubt whether Mexican law excluding slavery was still in force.

Southern malcontents maintained that this act was a mere hoax, using words which suggested concession when no concession was intended.

Northern anti-slavery men criticized the act as the entering wedge for another great surrender to the enemy.

Because of the uncertainty regarding the meaning of the law and the false hopes likely to be created, they maintained that it was fitted to foment discord and prolong the period of distrust between the two sections.

At all events such was its actual effect.
A third act in this unhappy series gave to Texas ten millions of dollars for the alleged surrender of claims to a part of New Mexico.