American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-19
SHIRTS i!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March IA, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks keys
other kind for those in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posals to furnish the same will be received considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next. The different locks viii be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL rs practicable, be entered into for
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 add
tonal 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
with view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ites viz durability uniformity, lighness, 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 will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
by of the locks and keys adopted well as the in
of the mail service; but it will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II 1t 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 than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
will be required entering into contract make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests of the
service. In of the failure Of the contractor any
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO anu said contract, and to contract with
any other party parties as he may it, 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
way mails that of another lie reserves, therefore, the
right contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. IL he shall
that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract Tho con-
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper
specon 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 if 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 d. Postmaster General!