Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-16
FURNISHING MAZE LOCKS ANDKEys.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,
| March IA, 1851.
! TT 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 proposals to;urnsh the same, will be received
and considered at the Post Office Department until the
first day OF July next. The different locks will be sub
united to commission for examination and report.
Upon this report contracts will, as soon as practicable,
oe entered INTO Tor furnishing such locks and keys for
tour years with the right on the part of the Postmaster
General Tor the time being to extend and continue the
contract in force for additional term OF four years. by
eVlng TO the contractor written notice to that effect,
not more than nine nor less than six months before the
termination of the first term of four years.
with view oprocuring the best lock at the lowest
price, nokiod flock isprescribed Standard the De-
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited,
may develop. 1t is, however, proper to state that
lock suitable for the mail service should possess the fol-
and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mal locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new LOCKS and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto
VIII De required to be furnished by the contractor with
IN seven months after the contract shall have been en-
tered INTO; afterwards the annual supply will depend
on me durability OF the locks and keys adopted
well as tine increase of the mail service: but will pro-
oaDly never exceed in amount three thousand of the for
mer and one thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered if it be like any already
IN general use nor will any one with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish
any lock or key similar to those contracted for for any
other purpose than that Of the Post Office De-.
partment.
The kind OF lock adopted must be patented and the
patenee will be required entering into contract to
make an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit OF the Department if the Postmaster General
snail deem sucn requirement essential to the interests
OF the service In of the ia lure OF the contractor
atany time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions
OF his contract, the Postmaster General shall have
tue right, besides resort to the penal remedy herein
alter mentioned to annu said contract and to contract
anew with any other party or parties as he may see
I'll, Tor furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens of.
lered the Postmaster General may deem it expedent
to select tor the through mails the lock of one bidder
and TOR the way mails that of another. He reserves,
therefore, the right of contracting with different indi
ylduals for such different kinds Of locks as he NAV Sc
ec and also the right to reject all the specimens and
proposals. if he shall deem that course for the interest
Of the Department. The party or parties contracting
will be required to give bond, with ample security in
the sum OF thirty thousand dollars for faithful peror-
nance OF the contract. The contract is to contain
for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys and aso guarding against their passing into
improper hands; the terms othese provisions to be ar
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
| der, if bid should be accepted
| No application will be considered if not ACCOMPANIED
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy characte,
of the bidder, and oil his ability to fulfil the contract
N: X. HALL, Postmaster General.
NH 21-1awt1Iv