American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-16
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IA, 1851
being desirable to substitute locks keys some
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 will be received and considered
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts WILL 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
extend and continue the contract IN force for adi
ona 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.
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 lighness and strength.
For purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto win 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-
bity of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in.
of the mail service; but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter
general use nor viii any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell, or furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pm
tentee win be required entering into contract TO make
assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests Of the
service In case Of the fixture 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 parties he may it, for furnishing
similar locks and keys
dnaiiinE upon tho proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem 1t cxpedient select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that of another. lie 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 contracting viii be required to give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars, for faithful performance of the contract The con.
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper in.
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 IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.