American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-02
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

T being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas to furnish the same viii 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
nishng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part the Postmaster General the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for an sdd
onal term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine nor less
Of four years. -
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed Standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited, may
develop 1t is however proper to state that lock suit
able for mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz: durability uniformity lghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
s an % he
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
biity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease of the mail service; but will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of theJatter.
No lock will be considered II 1t be like any already in
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL or furnish any
lock or key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of adopted must be patented, and the pa
entee will be required entering into contract 10 make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department, If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential interests OF the
service In Of the lure of the contractor at any
time fui 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 fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem It expedent to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie 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. IL he shall
that for tho interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security in the sum Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract to contain provisions for the due and proper
specton OF the locks and keys and aso for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder If bid should be accepted
No application win be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
d. Postmaster General.