The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-05
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


Posr OrrIcE DEPARrMsNr,
MARcH IA, 1851
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
Il keys Of some other kind for those now in for
the mail service of the United States. specimeh
locks and keys, with proposals to furnish the same
will be received and considered at the Post Office
Department until the first day Of July next The
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts will, as soon as practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right the part Of the Postmaster
General for the time being 10 extend and continue
the contract in force for additional term Of four
years, by giving to the contractor written notice
to that effect, not than nine nor 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, no kind of lock is prescribed as q
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II is, how
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz durability, uniformity, lightness, and
strength.
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use. about thirty
adapted thereto will be required to be furnished BY
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend on the durability OF the
locks and keys adopted, well as the increase of
the mail service; but it will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand OF the latter.
No lock will be considered if IL be like any al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make, sell,
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
ractcd for for any other purpose or use than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentee will be required, entering into con-
tract, to make assignment Of his patent for tho
exclusive and benefit of the Department, ii the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests of the service In case of
the failure Of the contractor at any time to Iful6l
faithfully the terms and conditions Of bis contract,
sides a resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men,
toned, to annu said contract, and to contract anew
with any other party parties he may fit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem il expo
dent to select for the through mails the lock of one
bidder, and for the way mails that of another. He
reserves, therefore, the right of contracting with
different individuals for such different kinds of
all the specimens and proposals, If he shall deem
that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security, in the sum Of
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
of the contract The contract 10 10 contain proyi-
sions for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms of these provi
sions to be arranged between the Department and
No application will be considered If not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence Of the trustwor-
thy character of the bidder, and of his ability to
fulfil the contract.
NIX HALL, Postmaster General
Mar 17-1awtjy1