Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-28
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March 3D. 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
l. keys OF some other kind for those in for the
mail service OF the United States, specimen locks and
keys with proposals olurnsh the same, will be received
and considered at the Post Office Department until the
first day Of July The different locks will be sub
mitted to commission for examination and report
Upon this report contracts WILL practicable
be entered into for furnishing 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 additional term OF four years. by
giving to the contractor written notice to that effect,
not more than nine 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, kind oflock is prescribed standard the De-
partment for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited
may develop 1t is, however, proper to state that a
lock suitable for the mai should possess the fol-
lowing quates,yiz. durability uniformity, ightness
and strength.
For the purpose OF displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto
will be required 10 be furnished by the contractor with
in seven months after the contract hall have been
tered into afterwards the annual supply will depend
the durability OF the locks and keys adopted as
well tine increase of the mailservice; but will pro-
baby never exceed in amount three thou and of the for
mer and one thousand OF the latter.
No lock will be considered if it be like any already
IN general use nor will any one with whom the
tract may be made be allowed make sell, or furnish
any lock or key similar those contracted for for any
other purpose or use than that Ct the Post Office De-
partment.
The kind oflocE adopted must he patented, and the
patenee will be required entering into contract,
make assignment OF his patent, for the exclusive
and benefit othe Departmental the Postmaster General
shall deem such requirement essential to the interests
OF the service In case OF the Ia lure OF the contractor
any time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions
of his contract, the Postmaster General shall have
the right, besides to the penal remedy herein
alter mentioned TO annu said contract and contract
anew with any other party parties as he may see
fiji for furnishing similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens Of
ered the Postmaster General may deem it expedient
to select for the through mails the lock of bidder
and Tor the way mails that OF another He reserves,
therefore, the right of contracting with different ndi
viduals for such different kinds of locks he may
lec and also the right reject all the specimens and
proposals. if he shall deem that for the interest
OF the Department. The party or parties contracting
will be required to give bond. with ample security, in
the Of thirty thousand dollars for faithful pertor-
nance of the contract. The contract is to contain
provisions for the due and proper inspection oflhe locks
and keys, and aso guarding against their passing into
improper hands; the OF these provisions to be
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
der, if a bid should be accepted
No application will be considered not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
of the bidder and of his ability fulfil the contract
N. K. HALL, Postmaster General.
NH CJ-1awt1Iv