The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-25

Posr OvFicK DEPARrMKsr,
MARcH Ia, 1851
1T BEING DESIR lie to substitute locks and
Il KEYS of some othe for those in for
locks and keys, with proposals furnish the same,
will be received and considered at the Poet ONCE
Departn ent until the first day Of Jolly neat The
different locks will be submitted to corf'nission
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts will, as soon 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 in force for additional term of four
years, by giving to the contractor written notice
to that effect not more than nine less than ak
months before the termination OF the hrst term OF
four years.
With view of procuring the beat lock at tho
lowest price, no kind Of lock 10 prescribed
standard, the Department relying for setec ton
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II 10. how
ever, proper TO state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quali-
ties, viz durability, uniformity, iightness. and
strength.
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now ia use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required u be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend on the durability Of the
loo ks and keys adopted. well the increase of
the mail service; but it will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered if il be like any al
ready in general use; will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed TO make. sell,
or furnish any lock or. key similar to those con-
tracted for for any other purpose than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
The patentee will be required. entering into con
tract, To make assignment Of his patent for tho
exclusive and benefit of the Department, il tho
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential 10 the interests Of the service In Of
the failure OF the contractor at any time To fulfil
faithfully the terms and conditions Of his contracts
the Postmaster General shall have the right, be-
sides a resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
with any other party parties he may fit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem il expe-
dent to select for the through mails the lock Of one
bidder, and for the way mails that of another. He
reserves. therefore, the right of contracting with
different individuals for such different kinds Of
locke as he may select, and also the right to reject
all tho specimens and proposals.. ii he shall deem
party or parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security. in the sum of
thirty thousand dollars for faithful performance
Of the contract. The contract is TO contain provi
sons for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms of these provi-
sions to be arranged between the Department and
the successful bidder, if bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered il not accom-
thy character of tho bidder, and Of his ability to
fulfil the contract.
NIX. HALL, Postmaster General
Mar I7-lawtiyl