Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-14
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEY g

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
- March IA, 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 Staes 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 Tor examination and report
Upon this report contracts will, as practicable
be entered into for furnishing such locks and keys for
tour years, with the right the part OF the Postmaster
General Tor the time being 10 extend and continue the
contract in force for additional Of four years. by
giving to the contractor written notice to that effect
not more than nine less than six months before the
termination OF the first term of four years.
With view oil procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no KIND ofock is prescribed Standard the De-
parment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited
may develop. 1t is, however proper to state, that
lock suitable for the mail should possess the fol-
loving qualities,vz. durability, uniformity, lightness
and strength.
For the purpose OF displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and 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 as tine increase OF the mail service; but will pro-
baby never exceed in amount three thousand of the for
mer and one thousand OF the latter.
No lock will be considered it it be like any already
IN general use; nor will any with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed to make, SELL or furnish
other purpose than that Of the Post Office De-
partment.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and the
patentee will be required on entering into contract 10
make an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit ofthe Department if the Postmaster General
shall deem such requirement essential to the interests
OF the service In OF the ia lure OF the contractor
at any time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions
OF his contract, the Postmaster General shall have
the right besides TO the penal remedy herein
alter mentioned to annul said contract and TO contract
anew with any .other party parties as he NAV see
III, tor furnishing similar locks and KEYS.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens Of
tered the Postmaster General may deem it expediept
to select Tor the through mails the lock Of one bidder
and tor the way mails that of another. He reserves
therefore. the right OF contracting with different ind
viduals for such different kinds OF locks as he NAV se
lect and also the right reject all the specimens and
proposals. 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 sum Of thirty thousand dollars, for faithful peror-
nance OF the contract. The contract is to contain
provisions for the due and proper inspection The locks
and keys and also, guarding against their passing
improper hands, the terms OF these provisions be
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
der, il bid should be accepted
No application will be considered fnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
OF the bidder and OF his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
NH 2l-lawtlJy