American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-02
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS a. KEYS.
~ lasa -tt.s.aaa-! Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT

4.Ua.E. ~. .a..#a#. "a, March IA, 1851. (
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
poss to furnish the viii be received and considered
at the 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 practicable be entered into for fur
nsng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract In force for an add
tona 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. +".H. ss +. ....t
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed Standard the De.
partment relying for selection ON the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now 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 lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now In use about thirty thousand
newocks and twenty thousand thereto will be
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
blty Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease Of the mail services but it will probably never ex-
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter. esa.s. t4
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to Make sel furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for other
purpose OF use than that OF the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the
an assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and
eft Of the Department II 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 mem
toned TO annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party or parties as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem expeden to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
mails that Of another He reserves therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals 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 will be required TO give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performances 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 If bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered " not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract.
STA % tstH 90 ..Hs ''tats s#@#'' N. X. HALL,
mar d. I. h#t 4" 'l Postmaster General.