American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-09
SHIRTS! SHIRTS /!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I

March Ia, 1851. /
being desirable to substitute locks keys
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with pro
posas to furnish the 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 con-
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add-
tona term Of years. by giving the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years .'t 81 .b Il.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed Standard the De-
parmen relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
abe for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose of displacipg simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in USE about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto will be
required be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply win depend on the dura-
bity of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
of the mail SERVICE but it will probably
coed i'm amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter. ..s ..r... ...a. .ss#
No lock will be considered II 1t 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 other
purpose than that of the Post ONCE Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract TO make
an assignment of his patent for the exclusive
eft of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
requirement. essential the interests OF the
service In 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 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys. .s.E
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem II expeden to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
mails that Of another. He therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks as 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 of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
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
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
the successful bidder IL 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 Dr. "..&4. Postmaster General.