American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-01
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


March IA, 1851 !
i other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the same, will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL as practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years with the right
on the part Of the Postmaster General for the time being
10 extend and continue the contract in force for add
iona 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.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
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 L. however, proper 10 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability uniformity, lghncss, and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
and twenty thousand keys win be
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered no
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
biity OF the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
OF the mail service; but II win probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered II II be like any already in
general use; 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
entee will be required on entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft 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
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties as he may see h for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedent TO 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 for such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security, in the 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 Of
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar H- Postmaster General.