American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-01
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IA, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those in use for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas to furnish the 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
tracts will soon practicable be entered into for fur
nishing 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
written notice to that effect than nine nor less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
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 IL is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
ties VIZ: durability uniformity lightness and strength
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand will be
required to be 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 as well as the in
crease Of the mail service but 1t will probably ex-
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 ono with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL or furnish, any
lock key similar TO those for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee 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 case Of the failure Of the contractor at any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and 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 t for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem oxpcdent 30 select
the through mails the lock OF bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lilo 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. " he shall
deem 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
ars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract Is TO contain provisions for the due and proper
spccton 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 win be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability to fulhl the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General