Sam Houston was opposed to Secession while Governor, though things clearly didn't go his way on that issue. Meanwhile the broader Crittenden Compromise never went through.
What if a specific agreement for Texas had been established, avoiding the state's secession?
Amendments
Text modified from OTL Amendment Proposals as listed on Wikipedia, with those most offensive to the North not included
1) Slavery would be prohibited in any territory of the United States "now held, or hereafter acquired," north of latitude 36"30 line. Within the boundaries of the state of Texas, slavery of the African race was "hereby recognized" and could not be interfered with by Congress. Furthermore, property in African slaves in the State of Texas was to be "protected by all the departments of the territorial government during its continuance." States would be admitted to the Union territory with or without slavery as their constitutions provided should their admittance be as a result of any partition of territory from the State of Texas.
2) Congress would be forbidden to abolish slavery in places under its jurisdiction within the State of Texas such as a military post.
3) Congress shall not ban slavery in the Territory of New Mexico or in any states derived thereof.
4) No future amendment of the Constitution could change these amendments or authorize or empower Congress to interfere with slavery within Texas, New Mexico, or any states derived thereof for the next 40 years.
What would be the effect of a neutral or Union Texas? How long would slavery actually last in the state? The growing German, Czech, and Tejano populations would probably be quite opposed and after the war I imagine it'd be a big financial issue when the feds refuse to enforce the fugitive slave law.
What if a specific agreement for Texas had been established, avoiding the state's secession?
Amendments
Text modified from OTL Amendment Proposals as listed on Wikipedia, with those most offensive to the North not included
1) Slavery would be prohibited in any territory of the United States "now held, or hereafter acquired," north of latitude 36"30 line. Within the boundaries of the state of Texas, slavery of the African race was "hereby recognized" and could not be interfered with by Congress. Furthermore, property in African slaves in the State of Texas was to be "protected by all the departments of the territorial government during its continuance." States would be admitted to the Union territory with or without slavery as their constitutions provided should their admittance be as a result of any partition of territory from the State of Texas.
2) Congress would be forbidden to abolish slavery in places under its jurisdiction within the State of Texas such as a military post.
3) Congress shall not ban slavery in the Territory of New Mexico or in any states derived thereof.
4) No future amendment of the Constitution could change these amendments or authorize or empower Congress to interfere with slavery within Texas, New Mexico, or any states derived thereof for the next 40 years.
What would be the effect of a neutral or Union Texas? How long would slavery actually last in the state? The growing German, Czech, and Tejano populations would probably be quite opposed and after the war I imagine it'd be a big financial issue when the feds refuse to enforce the fugitive slave law.