American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-20
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March Ia, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys With pro
posas to furnish the same win be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part Of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
Of four years.
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price no kind of lock Is prescribed as standard the De
parnent relying for a selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited, may
develop 1t is however proper 70 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bty Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
OF the mail Service but will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
| thousand Of the latter.
No lock win be considered If It be like any already in
general nor win any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell, furnish any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and the pa
tenee viii be required entering into contract make
assignment OF his patent for the exclusive
eft Of The Department. IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor at any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem Il expcden select
for the through mails tho lock Of bidder
way mails that of another. He reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks as he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. " he shall
deem that for the interest the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
spccton Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands the terms q
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, bid should be accepted
No application viii be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability to fulhl the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General