American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-24
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
4

March IA, 1851
being desirable to substitute locks keys of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
# the United States, specimen locks and keys, with pro
posa to furnish the same will be received and considered
1t the Post Office Department until the first day of Jul,
next Thediferent locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
nsbns sn, oc tays far ~ with be rah
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
tona term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine les
than six months before the termination of the first term
~ four years.
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed Standard the De
parmen 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
tiles, viz durability uniformity lightness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will b.
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
biity of the locks and keys adopted well as the in
of the mail service; but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
No lock will be considered If it be like any already In
general use; will 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 ofock adopted must be patented, and tho pa
entee will be required entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive ben
eft of the Department. if the Postmaster General shall
service In Of the failure of the contractor 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 10 annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties as he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
mails that of another. lie reserves, therefore, the
right Of contracting with different Individuals for such
different kinds of Jocks 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 will be required to give bond
with ample security in the sum Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The
tract 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
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II 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 fulfil the contract
sHA N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General