American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-12
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

NT,I
March IA, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas furnish the same will be received 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
nhng such locks 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 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
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
able for the mail service possess the alowins aua
es viz: durability uniformity lightness and strength
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months atter the contract sha nave been entered into
bity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service; but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If it be like any already in
general use nor will any one 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 pa
entee will be required entering into contract tomake
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eht the Department, the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of 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 70 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedien select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that of another He reserves therefore the
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals II he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party or parties will be required 10 give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract s to contain provisions for the due 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, If bid should be accepted
No application win be considered II not accompanied
With satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract.
N. X. HALL
mar "a Postmaster General.