American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-06
FURNISHING NAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

}
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
posals to furnish the same will be received aud considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will as soon as practicable be entered into for
nshing 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 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
tes viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and Keys now in use, about thirty thousand
and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered no
afterwards the annual supply win depend on the dura
bity of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
of the mail service; but it win probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
No lock viii be considered If It be like any already in
general use; nor will any one with whom the contract
lock or key similar contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind oflock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department if the Postmaster General shall
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 men
toned to annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties as he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem it expedent 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 as he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. 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 con.
s to contain provisions for the due and proper
specton 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, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not ACCOMPANIED
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy of
the bidder, and Of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N. X HALL
mar "a Postmaster General