American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-18
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March IL, 1851.
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 to furnish the same viii 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
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
TO extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice 10 that effect not more 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 no kind OF lock is prescribed as standard the De
partmcnt relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited, may
develop 1t is however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz durability uniformity, lighness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys thereto will be-
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
blity Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but Il will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand OF the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock viii be considered II it be like any already in
general use; nor will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make, SELL furnish any
lock or key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose or use than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering contract 10 make
an assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
et 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 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
any other party orpartes as he may h for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem Il cEpedent 10 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 for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right TO reject oil the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department
party parties contracting 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 is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specion Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms of
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered n not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character of
the bidder, and OF his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General