American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-02
SHIRTS! SHIRTS!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS q KEYS.

..=.... +. -r.EI.5..t March IA, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the same win be received and considered
the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different looks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nsng locks and keys for four years. with the right
part of the Postmaster General for the time being
tiona term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years. a#
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection ON the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop II is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, vl durability, uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displscing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use about thirty thousand
newocks and twenty thousand keys 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 the durs-
bity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease of the mail SERVICE but IL win probably never ex-
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL furnish, any
purpose than that Of the Post ONCE Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentec win be required on entering into contrac to make
an assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor Mt any
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of bis
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to tho penal remedy hereinafter
Toned TO annu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party parties as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem expeent 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 select, and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. IL 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 Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performances Of the contract The
tract to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon 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 " not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
m q. tlta Z. Ell. .'.ta ss..s N. H. HALL
mar a. 4 4 TX u Postmaster General