American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-16
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

80 March IA, 1851
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
other kind for those now in use 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
tracts wi soon as practicable be entered into for a
the part Of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for an add
tonl 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
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 invited, may
develop It Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity, nghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now In USE about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys thereto win
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards tho annual supply will depend the dura
by Of the locks and keys adopted, as well as the in
crease of the mail service; but will probably never
coed in amount three thousand OF the former and
No lock will be considered If t be like any already In
general use nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL furnish, any
lock key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose or than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
sense will be III. On M ing
eft of tho Department. if the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement. essential TO the interests Of the
Service of the failure Of the contractor any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned 10 annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys. ~ At4 2Hf .t
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem expedient to select
for the through mails the look Of bidder and for the
rsht Of CONTRACTING With derst indssusis for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting win be required to give bond
with ample security, in the of thirty thousand
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract Ia to contain provisions for the due and proper
spection Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper bands the terms
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bi1der IT, 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 fuln the contract. Z
.8@-fttg4n N X. HALL, .H
mar A-=-- Postmaster General.