American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-20
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT., I

TIL
March ii, 1851. !
TT being desirable substitute locks and keys Of
4 other kind for those in for the mail scryic'
II the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posals 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 a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
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
onal term Of four years by giving TO the contractor
written notice TO that effect, not than nine less
han six months before the termination Of the first term
Il four years.
with view of procuring the best lock at the Lowest
rce no kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
artment relying for selection the mechanical skill
md ingenuity which fair competition invited, may
eveop. 1t is, however. proper TO state that lock suit
'be for the mail service should possess the following DUAL
ties, viz durability uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
nail locks and Keys now In about thirty thousand
new locke and twenty thousand keys thereto will
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
biity of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
OF the mail service; but It will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of he former one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II IL be like any already r
general use; nor will any one with whom the contrac
may be made be allowed to make, cell, or furnish any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any othei
purpose use than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented the pn
tentee viii be required entering contract to max
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
rt Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential the Of
service In case Of the failure OF the contractor at
time fulfil faithfully the conditions Of hi
contract, the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned annul said contract and 10 contract anew will
any other party parties he may IT. for FURNISHING
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem 1t expedient to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder,
way mails that Of another lie therefore, tn
right of contracting with different individuals
different kinds Of locks M he may select and also TIN
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. If be
deem that for the interest Of the Department Thu
party parties contracting viii be required to give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract. The con
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection 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 IL not accopanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. K HALL
mar a. Postmaster General.