How does the scriptural debate between Launcelot and Jessica serve each character's purpose?

Because of the debate about slavery in the territories broke out during the Mexican-American War, as many southerners sought to expand slavery into newly acquired lands and many northerners opposed any such expansion. The debate was further complicated by Texas' claim to all former Mexican territory and eastern Rio Grande, including areas that they had never effectively controlled. These problems prevented the passage of organic acts to create organized territorial governments for the land acquired in the Mexican-American War.