The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-21
PROPOSALS FOR MAIL BAGS.
Posr OFFICE DEPAarMENT,
DECEMBER "a, 1850.

Posr OFFicE DEPARTMENT,
DECEMBER "a, 1850.
CtEALED PROPOSALS will be received at this
- Department until O'Clock a. III. Of the 2lst day
of April next for furnishing for four years from the
nrst day OF July next, IN such Quantities and at
mail service, Mail Bags Of the following dcscrip
ton, to wit:
CANVASS MAIL BAGS,
Size No (43 inches in length and 81 inches in
circumfercnce) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces 10 the yard Of % nches width;
the yarn Of the fabric be doubled and twisted and
FIVE fold.
Size No. 2 al inches in length and As inches in
circumference) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard of 81 inches in
width, and the cloth to be woven in every respect
like that of the first sise of bags.
Size No. (32 inches in length and 80 inches in
circumference) to be made Of cotton canvass.
weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth to
be woven as above described.
The canvass bags of sizes Nos and are to be
made with sufficient number of eyelet holes, and
provided with strong cord to their mouths.
All are TO he marked inside and outside thus: gu.
s. MAIL"
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES,
Or mail bags with circular bottoms, opened and
fastened at one end:
Size No l. 4s inches in length and GO inches in
Size No. 2, Al inches in length and 4s inches in
circumference.
Size No. 3, SO inches in length and ~ inches in
Size No. 4, 30 inches in length and SO inches in
circumference.
Size No. 5, 26 inches in length and 2s inches in
circumference.
The body of the leather pouches is to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, well tanned,
weighing for Nos. ! and not less than ounces.
and for the smaller sizes not less than ounces the
square foot; the bottom and flap to be of good skirt
ing leather, well tanned, and the to be we'll
and strongly secured with the bestiron rives we'll
timed.
The canvass pouches are to be made Of densely-
woven canvass, as TO resist water, like the can
yass pouches now in use for the mail service,
| HORSE MAIL BAGS, (IN SADDLE BAGS FoRM.)
| Size No. l. Body 46 inches long and 40 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
| Size No. 2. Body "A inches long and 36 inchcsin
| circumference at widest parts.
| Size No. 3. Body az inches long and 80 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
! Ends or bottoms of size No. !, IL by "a inches.
| Do do do No. 2, ! by % do
! Do do do No. 3, 10 by 20 do
The leather horse mail bags are to be made Of
good and substantial bag leather, well tanned,
weighing not less than ounces to the square foot,
and the seams to be we'll and strongly sewcd, or, If
rivetcd, to be done neither to chalc horse
rider.
| The canvass horse mail bags arc to be made Of
the same quality of fabric as the pouches above
described
DROP LETTER POUCHES, with SIDE rocKEr.)
Size 26 inches in len 9Th and % inches in circum-
| ference
Proposals for improvements in the construction
Of any of the above described mail bags, in the
materials thereof will be received; and the relative
value and adaptation to the service, as well as
| price of such improvement, will be considered in
| determining tho lowest and best bidder.
o. All the articles contracted for arc to be de-
ivered, at the expense, at Boston, Mas
| snchusetts; New York and Buffalo, New York;
Philadelphia and Pittsburg. Pcnnsylvania; Bal.i-
more, Maryland; Washington, ID. c.; Charleston,
South Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Huntsville, Ala
bama; New Orleans, louisiana; Nashville, Tenncs-
see Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; St
Louis, Missouri, in such proportions and at such
times as the Department may require; where they
arc to be rgidly inspected. and none are to be re-
ceivcd which shall be inferior in any respect to the
specimens standard bags.
No proposal will be considered If not accompa-
MED with samples of each article bid for, showing
the construction, quality of materials, and work.
manship proposed. and also with evidence Of the
competency and ability of the bidder to execute the
work according to contract.
The specimens must be delivered ut the Depart.
ment or before the 2lst day of April next, and
will, in conncxion with the proposals, form the ba-
sis of the contracts.
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond, with sufficient suretes, Ito be ccrt-
fed to by the Postmaster of the place where he or
they may reside,) in sum OF money double the
amount OF contract, for faithful performance of
the obligations entered into.
II having been suggested by Postmasters Of cx-
pcricncc and others that the common canvass bags,
first above described, (of sizes Nos. ! and 2,)
should be made SO as to be locked, proposals and
specimens invited for canvass bags constructed
accordingly with the addition also Of handle at
the mouth and at the bottom of each bag.
For the information of bidders in reference to the
number of mail bags which will probably be re-
quircd, the number, kinds and sizes OF bags
manufactured for the use of the Department during
the year, from the lst July, Si9 to the Both June,
1850, are given as follows: l52 No /, S35 No. 2,
776 No. 3, TAT No. 4, and 300 No. pouches; 254
No l, 332 No. ., and 276 No. horse bags; and
6,575 No. !, 1925 No. =, and 214 No. common can
pass bags.
The proposals should DO endorsed g Proposals
for Mail Bags" and be addressed TO theiPosfmaster
General.
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.