American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-26

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March Il, 1851 !
being desirable 70 substitute locks and keys Of
| other kind for those now in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys, with
posas to furnish the same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks will be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nishing 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 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.
price, kind of lock Is prescribed Standard the De
partmont relying for selection the mechanical skill
develop IL is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity, ghtncss, and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
reduIed be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
by Of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
Of the mail service; but it will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II it be like any already in
general nor will any one with whom the contract
may he made be allowed TO make, SELL furnish any
lock key similar 70 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
tencc will be required entering into contract TO make
an assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the DEPARTMENT IL the Postmaster General shall
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 men
toned to annu said contract and TO contract anew with
any other party parties he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expcdent 10 select
for the through mails the lock of bidder, and for the
way mails that Of another. lie reserves, therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. IL he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security, in the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms of
these provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If 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