American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-17
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,
March Ia, 1851 I
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 furnish same will be received and considered
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 practicable be entered into for fur
nhng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine nor 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
parmept relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop. 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto win
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 servce but it will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock viii be considered II it 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 any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive ben
deem such requirement essential to the interests 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 have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annul said contract and to contract with
other party parties as he may fit 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 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 the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department
party parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security in tho Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
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 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. k. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.