American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-20
FURNISHING MAIL LOOKS AND KEYS.

4 z ~ March IL 1851 I
being desirable TO substitute locks and keys of
other kind for thnse in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posals to furnish the same WIN be received and considered
nj the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks win be submitted 70 commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will practicable, be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years with the right
on the part the Postmaster General for the time being
extend continue the contract in force for add
ona term Of four years by giving TO the contractor
written notice 10 that effect not than nor
than six months before the termination Of the first term
Of four years
price kind Of lock Is prescribed standard the De
parment relying for selection on the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop II Is however proper 70 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz; durability uniformity, lightness and strength.
For the purpose Of displaoing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use, about thirty thousand
new twenty thousand keys thereto will
required furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
Afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service butt will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter. Is e.. q e..4.. il u.a4..
No lock will be considered II II be like any already in
general use wiz any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 70 make, sell, furnish any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose or than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind oflock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee win be required entering into contract
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and BEN
deem such requirement essential 10 the interests Of the
service. In OF the failure Of the contractor any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned 10 annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys 60 =.
In deciding upon the proposals specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent TO select
the through mails the lock of bidder 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
that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security, In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars, for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract to contain provisions for the due proper in
spectop Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands the Of
these provisions 10 be arranged bween the Department
and the successful bidder II 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 70 fulh the contract
~@8r NJ X HALL.
mar "a Postmaster General.