American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-26
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


March H. 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the win be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks win be submitted TO a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nhnp such locks and keys years. with the right
on the part of Postmaster General the time being
TO 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 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 the mechanical skill
develop is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz durability uniformity, lighness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use, about thirty thousand
new locks twenty thousand keys thereto will 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, well the in
of the mail service but IL win probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter
No lock will be considered II It be like any already in
general use nor will any one with whom the oontrnct
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
Theknd Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee win be required entering into contract TO make
an assignment OF his patent for the e and hem
deem such requirement essential to the interests 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
toned 10 annul said contract and 20 contract with
any other party parties he may M for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedien to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder 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
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem 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
lara for faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract Is TO contain provisions for the due proper in
spection 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 win be considered If accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar 81 Postmaster General.