American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-22
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS

March Ia, 1851. I
being desirable substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States, specimen locks and keys with
posa to furnish the will be received and considered
the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nshng such locks andkeys 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 an add
tonal of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine LEES
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years.
With view of procuring the best lock Mt the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
partmcnt relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited, may
develop 1t Is however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tics viz: durability uniformity lighness and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
blity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail seryce but II will probably
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 use; will any with whom the contract
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 be patented and the pa
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and BEN
II
service In of tho failure of the contractor at any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and to contract with
other party parties as he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedent TO select
for through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that of another He therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks az he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. be shall
that for the interest of the Department The
mrty parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security in the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application win be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence OF the trustworthy character
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract.
N X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.