Florida or Texas?

In this chapter of my book, From the Earth to the Moon, the committee that decided on the bullet, powder and gun meet again to determine where the launch will take place. They know it has to be in Texas or Florida, because those are the only states that extend under the 28th parallel. One of the four gentlemen, Marston, does not know that Texas is this far south and proposes that the US invade and annex Mexico in order to get there. His comment sets of a riot of laughter and comment s to the point where they are not able to accomplish anything that night. A tabloid hears of their indecision and jumps on the opportunity to publish their views. Soon the whole nation is siding with either Texas or Florida and many delegates from these states are in Baltimore, where the Gun Club is, and are literally fighting in the streets. Police have had to stop several delegates from engaging in rifle battles.