American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-22
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

\
March IA, 1851.
I being desirable substitute locks and keys of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posals furnish the same will be received considered
Mt 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 fur
nishng 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
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.
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock s prescribed standard the De
partinent relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tes viz: durability uniformity, ghtncss and strength
For the purpose of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys m use, about thirty thousand
new locks twenty thousand adapted thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
biity of the Jocks and keys adopted well the in
crease of the mail service; but will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter sf,s..
No lock will be considered If It be like any already In
general use nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL furnish any
lock key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented the pa
tcntee will be required entering into contract "a make
assignment Of his patent exclusive nee and BEN
eft Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests
service In of the lure of the contractor MT any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annul raid contract contract anew with
any other party parties as lac may fit for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder for
way mails that Of another. lie reserves therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds of locks he may select also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
deem that for heinterest Of the Department. The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The CON
tract contain provisions for the and proper in
spection of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands; terms Of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application viii be considered If accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar 2f-- Postmaster General.