American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-05
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
pnsT QFFICE DEP ARTMENr

March IA, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
other kind for those in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same w pc receved ana
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nishing locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
ona term of four years by giving TO the contractor
written notice to that effect noe than nine less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years.
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited, may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability uniformity, ghness, and strength
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now In use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thereto win be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
Afterwards the annual supply viii depend on the dura-
of the mail service but it will probably never
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
No lock will be considered II 1t be like any already in
general use nor will any one with whom the contract
lock key similar those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Departments
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
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 annul said contract and to contract with
any other party paresas he may G for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedent select
for the through mails the lock of bidder 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. If 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 performance of the contract The
tract Is to contain provisions for the due and proper
spection of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions to 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
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. K HALL
mar a. Postmaster General.