American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-13
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March IA 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with
posas to furnish the will be received and considered
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
tracts WILL soon 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
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
ticna term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice that effect not 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 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
tiles viz durability, uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bty of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail seryce but il will probably
coed in amount three 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, or furnish any
lock similar to those contracted for for other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract
assignment of his patent for the exclusive ben
eft of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
such essential to the interests the
service In of the failure of the any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions his
contract, the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to aunul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties be may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expcdient select
for the through mails the lock of one bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves, therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
deem that for thenerest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will he 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 Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N X. HALL,
mar 81 Postmaster General.