American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-06
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

IT,
March IA, 1851
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posals to furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks win 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
on part the Postmaster General for the time being
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 al- .es
With a 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 now invited may
develop 1t is however, proper 10 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
ties viz: durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose of dispncing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in USE about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto win be-
required furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall been entered into:
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
by of the locks and keys adopted, ms well the in
Of the mail service but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
general use; nor will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL furnish, any
lock or 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
enee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the
service In of the failure of the contractor ut 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 annu said contract and to contract with
other party parties as he may see h 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 and for the
way mails that of another. lie reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security in the OF thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance OF the contract The
to contain provisions for the due and proper
specon OF the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the of
these provisions 70 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered if 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