American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-19
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, 1
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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 pro
posals furnish the will be received and considered
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts wl practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend continue the contract in force for add
tonal term of four years. by giving the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited,
develop 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
es viz durability uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys thereto win be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply win depend the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
crease Of the mail service but II will probably never
coed in amount-threo thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter
No lock will be considered II It be like any already In
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee viii be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
deem 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
toned to annul said contract and TO contract 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 1t expedont 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder for the
way mails that of another. He reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
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 performance Of the contract The
tract is 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 character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General