William Claus, the Deputy Superintendent of the Six Nations Indian Department owned and carried this red leather dispatch case throughout the War of 1812. Claus conducted official business for the British Crown, liaising directly with First Nations communities leading up to and following the war. This indenture between Claus and the Indigenous peoples for Land in County of Haldimand District of Niagara, Province of Upper Canada.
An example of routine negotiations can be seen in this indenture dated August 3, 1826. The indenture is about the Indigenous land in Haldimand County.