American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-19
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IA, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail servc
Of the United States, specimen locks and keys, with pro
posas to furnish the same win be received and considered
ut the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL as soon as 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
extend and continue the contract in force for add
onal term of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine les
than six months before the termination of the first term
~ 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 on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop 1t Ia however, proper to state that lock suit
able for mail service should possess the following quail
VIZ he a dspneSs al
nail locks and keys In about thirty thousand
twenty thousand keys adapted thereto win b.
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply win depend the dura
bilty Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease Of the mail Service but It will probably never ex
ceod in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock WIN be considered II It be like any already in
general use; nor will 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
entee viii be required on entering into contract to make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
leem such requirement essential interests of tn,
service In of the failure OF the contractor at any
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of hit
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. 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 q another lie reserves therefore thu
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select, and also thu
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. " he shall
deem that for the interest OF the Department Th
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ple security, In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance OF the contract. The
Is TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection OF the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the Successful bidder Ia bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
.&&8# IL. N. X. HALL
mar a. Postmaster General.