American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-03
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS g. KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT., I


4 bcng desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United State specimen locks and Keys with pro-
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 con-
tracts will az soon as practicable be into for
nshing such locks and keys Tor four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for on ed
onal of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination OF the hrst term
Of four years. 80,
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed as standard the De
partnent relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited, may
develop II Is however, proper 10 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ites viz durability uniformity, gbtness, and strength
For the purpose of dispacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now IN use, about thirty Thousand
new locks twenty thousand thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract sha have been entered no
afterwards the annual supply viii depend on the dura
bity Of the locks and keys adopted, well rs the in
crease Of the mail service but will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand Of the latter
No lock win be considered II II 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 key similar TO those contracted for for other
purpose than that OF the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests OF the
service In Of the failure OF tho contractor at any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms aud conditions OF his
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 sec m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedient to select
for the through mails tho 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 he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security In the OF thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance OF the contract Tho CON
tract to contain provisions for the duo and proper IN
spcction Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands the terms OF
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character OF
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X HALL
mar ~ IL. Postmaster General.