American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-23
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Ao4-cL IA 1gE1

III,
March Ia, 1851 !
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States 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 praccable 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 aud continue the contract in force for add
tona term Of four years. by giving TO- the contractor
written notice 20 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 Is prescribed standard the De
partent relying for selection tho mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop It Is however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mall service should possess the following quail
titles, WIS durability, uniformity ightncss and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto win be
required be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
biity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service; but II win probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock win be considered II Il be like any already in
general use; win any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make, cell, furnish any
lock or 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
entee win be required, entering into contract
assignment Of his patent for
eft the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential 10 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 to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annul said contract and TO contract
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and Keys, Ibid :
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 and for the
way mails that o. another He therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest OF the Department The
party parties contracting win 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.
spection Of the locke and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions n he arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder if bid should be accepted
No application will he considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract.
#-r,. N X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.