American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-23
SHIRTS /! SHIRTS !
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS q KEYS.

March IA, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks keys of some
other kind for those now 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 practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on 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 is prescribed Standard the De
partment relying for selection the 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 the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
locks and 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 will depend on the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease of the mail services but It will probably never
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of the latter. LaE W..
general will any one with whom the contract
NAV be made be allowed to make SELL furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the
tentee will be required entering into contract TO make
an assignment of his patent for the exclusive and len
eft of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to the interests OF the
service In OF the failure Of the contractor at 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 mem
toned to annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys. .NL
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem 10 expedient TO select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another He reserves 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., II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department Tho
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond,
with ample security in the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract. The
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection 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 If bid should be accepted
No application win he considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
~ .Ns N. X HALL
mar 2i-- '.t 'a +. Postmaster General.