American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-24
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS q KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, !
IE.....L u 1NEI z

March IL, 1851.
IT being desirable substitute locks and keys Of
Il 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 a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nishing 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
onal 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 nj the lowest
price, kind Of lock IL prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection tho mechanical skill
and ingenuity which air competition, invited, may
develop. IL is however, proper 10 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ites viz: durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
new locks and 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-
bty of the locks and keys adopted as well "a the in
of the mail service but IL will probably never cx
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
general use; win 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 pm
tenee will be required entering into contract 10 make
an 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 AZ any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract, the Postmaster gaeral shall have the right
besides resort 20 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party parties he may it, for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
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
way mails that Of another lie therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right 30 reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party or 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 in
specton of the locks and keys aud also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands the OF
tese provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of tho Trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar "a Postmaster General