The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-27
PROPOSALS. FOR MAIL BAGS.

| Posr OrrIcx DrpARrMENr,
| fH DECEMBER "a, 1850.
| SEALED PROPOSALS will be received at thi
~ Department until O'Clock a IN of the 2lst day
April next for furnishing for four years from tn,
first day Of July next, In such quantities and a.
such times as may be required and ordered for the
mail service, Mail Bags Of the following descrip
| tion, to wit:
CANVASS MAIL BAGS.
Size No (43 inches in length and 62 inches in
circumference) TO be made of cotton canvass
weighing ounces to the yard Of % inches width:
the yarn Of the fabric to be doubled and twisted and
| five fold
Size No. 2 (4i inches in length and 4s inches in
circumference) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing Is ounces to the yard of q inches in
width, and The cloth to be woven in cycry respect
like that Of the first size of bags
Size No. 3 (32 inches in length and 3s inches in
circumference) to be made of cotton canvass.
weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth to
be woven as above described.
The CANVASS bags Of sizes Nos. and 2 are to be
made with sufficient number of eyeet.holes, and
All are to be marked inside and outside thus: ssU
S. MAIL"
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES,
Or mail bags with circular bottoms, opened and
fastened at one end:
Size No. !. 4s inches in length and go inches in
Size No. 2. Al inches in length and 4s inches in
Size No. 3. sS inches in length and 40 inches in
circumference.
Size No. 4, 80 inches in lenpth and &c inches in
Size No 5. as inches in length and IS inches in
circumference. 0a
The body Of the leather pouches is to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, we'll tanned,
weighing for Nos. and NOT less than 8 ounces.
and for the smaller sizes not less than ounces the
square foot; the bottom and flap to be of good skirt
ing leather, well tanned, and the seams 70 be well
wit he hoot
timed.
The canvass pouches are to be made of densely-
woven canvass, so as to resist water, like the can
vass pouches now in use for the mail service.
HORSE MAIL BAGS. (rN sADDLr-BAes roRM.)
Size No. l. Body 46 inches long and 40 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 2. Body - inches long and So inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 3. Body ~ inches long and 80 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Ends or bottoms Of size No. 1, IL by "a inches.
DO DO DO DO DO DO No. No. s, 10 10 Syys Sy % DO DO
The leather horse mail bags arc to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, well tanned,
weighing not less than ounces to the square foot
and the seams to be well and strongly sewed or, If
rveted, to be 90 done as neither to chafe horsc
rider.
The canvass horse mail bags are TO be made of
the same quality OF fabric as the pouches above
described.
DROP LETTER POUCHES, with SIDE POCKET. }
Size rs inches in length and % inches in circum-
ference. k
Proposals. for improvements is in the construction
of any of the above described mail bags or in the
materials thereof will be received and the relative
value and adaptation to the service, well as
price OF such Improvement, will be considered in
determining the lowest and best bidder.
0U- All the articles contracted for are to be de-
lvered, at the contractors expense Boston, Mas
sachusetts; New York and Buffalo, New York;
PhiladelPhia and Pittsburg. Pennsylvania; Balti-
Mseon - G
bama; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennes-
see; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; st.
Louis. Missouri, in such proportions and at such
TO be rigidly inspected and none are to be re-
ceived which shall be inferior in any respect to the
specimens or standard bags. 9 sfr
No proposal will be considered If not accompa-
MED with samples Of each article bid for, showing
the construction, quality of materials, and work
manship proposed, and also with evidence Of the
competency and ability ofthe bidder 10 execute the
work according to contract. 9tt
The specimens must be delivered at the Depart
ment ON or before the 2lst day of April next, and
will, in connexion with the proposals, form the ba-
sis of the contracts. co t,4 lla
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond, with sufficient suretics, Ito be cert
ned to by the Postmaster of the place where he or
they may reside,) in a sum Of money double the
amount Of contract, for faithful performance of
the obligations entered into.
II having been suggested by Postmasters of ex-
perience and others that the common canvass bags
hrst above described, (of sizes Nos and -
should be made to be locked, proposals and
specimens invited for canvass bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also Of handle at
the mouth and at the bottom Of each bag.
For the information of bidders in reference to the
number Of mail bags which will probably be re-
quired, the number, kinds, and sizes OF bags
manufactured for the use Of the Department durn e
the year, from the 1st July lS49 to the 30th June,
1885, given as follows: 1852 No. l. 83S No. 9,
776 No. 3, TAT No. 4, and 290 No. pouches; 254
No. /, 1892 No. 2, and 276 No. horse bags; and
6,575 No. l, ,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common can
vass bags. aa
The proposals should be endorsed Proposals
for Mail Bags" and be addressed to thc Postmaster
General.
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
Dec %