It is said that the United States hold the public lands, which reside predominantly within twelve western states, "in trust." A "trust," which permits what otherwise is a constitutionally delimitated government to function as a supreme, "complete," and "unlimited" national municipal legislature over vast expanses within the confines of ostensibly sovereign and independent States without their consent, cannot exist within the American system without documentary evidence of its consented establishment, a substantial constitutional history, and a clear and well understood object. Statehood: The Territorial Imperative is a meticulous and long-overdue inquiry into the origins and documented objects of the federal "trust" respecting public lands. With its conclusions based squarely upon the historical record, this book challenges conventional thinking and popular belief with respect to this "trust." A compelling case is presented for redrawing the jurisdictional map of the West so that it comports with the express terms of the Constitution and with the sovereign and reserved rights of the respective states. In sum, this book intends that this union of states, each equal one with the other as to political rights and sovereignty, be affirmed as intended by the Framers and as ratified by the states.