Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-23

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT
March H. 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
keys of some other kind for those now in use for the
mail service OF the United States, specimen locks and
keys, with proposals tournish 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
mitted to commission for examination and report
Upon this report contracts will, as soon as practicable,
be entered into tor furnishing such locks and keys for
four years, with the right the part of the Postmaster
General for the time being extend and continue the
contract in force for an additional term of four 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.
With view ofprocuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no kind oflock prescribed as sandard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited,
may develop. 1t is, however, proper to state, that a
lock suitable for the mail service should possess the fol-
lowing qualitiesviz. durability, uniformity, lghtness
and strength
For the purpose OF dsplacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks aud twenty thousand keys adapted thereto
will be required to be furnished by the contractor with
in seven months after the contract shall have been
tered into afterwards the annual supply will depend
on the durability OF the locks and keys adopted, as
well tine increase Of the mail service; but will pro-
baby 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
tract may be made be allowed to make, SELL or furnish
any lock key similar to those contracted for for any
other purpose or use than that Of the Pot Office De-
partment.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and the
patentee will be required entering into contract to
make assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit ofthe Departmental the Postmaster General
shall such requirement essential to the interests
of the service. In OF the ia lure of the contractor
at any time fulfil faithfully the and conditions
of his contract, the Postmaster General shall have
the right besides resort to the penal remedy herein
after mentioned annul said contract and contract
anew with any .other party parties as he may see
| fit, for furnishing similar locks and KEYS
| In deciding upon the proposals and specimens Of
| fered, the Postmaster General may deem it expeden
to select for the through mails the lock of bidder
and tor the way mails that OF another. He reserves
therefore, the right of contracting with different indi-
viduals for such different kinds OF locks he may
ect and also the right TO reject all the specimens and
proposals, if he shall deem that for the interest
| of the Department. The party parties contracting
will lie required to give bond with ample security, in
the sum of thirty thousand dollars for faithful pero
nance of the contract. The contract is TO contain
provisions for the due and proper inspection Of the locks
and keys and ALSO guarding against their passing into
improper hands; the terms ofthese provisions to be
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
der il q bid should be accepted.
| No application will be considered ifnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy characte
of the bidder and OF his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General
NH 2l-lawtlJy