American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-11
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I
lE...aI II ICEI

March H. 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks 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 will 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 practicable be entered into for fur
nhng 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 contract in force for add
tona 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 first term
of four years.
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. is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity lightness and strength
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in USE about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
blty of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail SERVICE but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II It be like any already in
general use; 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
an assignment of his patent for the exclusive and
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned, to annul 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 IL expedient TO select
for 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 to 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 The
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper
spccon of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
aganst their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. K HALL
mar a. Postmaster General.