The republic., 1851-04-14
MAIL LOCKS AVID KEYS.
Posr OFricn DEPARrMHNr,
f7- MARCH IA, 1851.

| g Posr OFFicn DEPARrMHNr,
| MARCH IA, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
i keys Of some other kind for those now in use for
the mail service of the United States. specimen
locks and keys with proposals 70 farnish the same
Department until the first day of July next. The
different locks will be submitted to q commission
for examination and report Upon this report,
contracts will as soon as practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right on the part Of the Postmaster
General for the time being 70 extend and continue
the contract in force for an additional term 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 of procuring the best lock at the
lowest price, kind of lock is prescribed as d
standard, the Department relying for a selection
the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II 10, how
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
| mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz: durability, uniformity, lightncss, and
| strength. E t3Ga& sifst sF iesN
| For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously oil
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will he required to be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend on the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted, as well the increase of
| in amount three thousand Of the former and one
| thousand of the latter. N
| No lock will be considered If it be like any al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
| the contract may be made be allowed to make, sell,
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
actcd for for any other purpose or use than that Of
| tho Post Office Department. sN
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and
the patentee will be required, entering into
tract, to make assignment of his patent for tho
| exclusive and benefit of the Department. II the
| Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests of the service In case 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, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract, and to contract anew
with any other party or parties as he may see t for
| furnishing similar locks and keys.
| In deciding upon the proposals. and specimens
offered tho Postmaster General may deem il cxpe-
dient to select for the through mails the lock Of
bidder. and for the way mails that of another He
reserves, therefore, the right of contracting with
different individuals for such different kinds of
locks as he may select and also the right TO reject
oil the specimens and proposals, if he shall deem
that for the interest of the Department The
/ party or parties contracting will be required to
| give bond, with ample security, in tho sum of
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
OF the contract. The contract IL to contain provi
sions for the due and proper inspection Of the locks
and keys, and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms of these provi
tho successful bidder, if bid should Be accepted.
No application will be considered IL not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence of the trustwor-
thy character of the bidder, and of his ability to
| fulfil the contract vi
N. X. HALL Postmaster General.
Mar 17-1awtjyl
| ID III. HOOIc & CO., Wholesale and retail deal !.
Il crs in Carpcting, Floor Oil Cloths, Mattings,
Rugs, Curtain Materials, Shceting, Blankets, and
house furnishing goods generally.
Pennsylvania avenue, ,bctwcen7t tn and 6thstrccts,
Washington, d. G..
Aug 20--H tUnion.J
EnxNrzrn Cook. GEoRcE b. SAReEHr
COOK Il SARGENT,
GENERAL LAND AGENTS,