American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-22
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
pogT OFFICE nypIpTNxr,r

.5s ts.2. s.s4a Fl Ell .g.4..-. 4lf March IA, 1851
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
i other kind for those in for the mail service
OF the United Sates specimen locks and keys with pro-
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
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
onal term of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
of four years. gsfHe CIV .ssEa 20. w.
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the
partment relying for selection tho mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess following oua
tiles viz durability, uniformity, ghness, and strength
For the purpose OF displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
new ocksand twenty thousand thereto will be
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
bty of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the latter. ef5I & aIa. p 4 IL 4.
No lock will be considered II 1t be like any already In
general use; nor will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell furnish any
lock key similar to those contracted for any other
purpose than that of the Post Once Department
THO kind Of lock adopted must be patented the pm
be required entering into contract tomake
an assignment patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement. essential to the interests of the
service In Of the hilure Of the contractor Mt any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party parties as he may 1T for furnishing
similar locks aud keys. taf st1lH af l4a rn.@k
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expeent 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
mails that OF another. He therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals for ouch
different kinds Of locks AZ he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
deem that for the interest Of tho Department The
party parties will be required to give bond
with ample security, In the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The con
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton of the locks aud keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
those provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should he 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
.HlAgHa te881 Hs8E uD NJ X. HALL,
mar 2-- IBIS Jl4k H5t t.gl Postmaster General. .