The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-31

Posr OFpIoE DEPARTMENT,
MAncH Ia. 1851.

Posr OFPIoE DEPARTMENT,
49,. MARCH IA, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
lava Of some other kind for those now in use for
the mail aervice of the United States, specimen
locks and keys, with proposals to furnish the same
will be received and considered al the rost oiiice
Denartrnen t until first day OF July next The
different loc ks will be submitted to commission
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts wih soon as practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys Tor four
years with the right on the part of the Postmaster
General for the time being TO extend and continue
the contract in force for an additional term oil four
years by giving to the contractor written notice
10 that effect, not more than nine nor less than six
months before the termination Of the first term OF
four years
lowest price, no kind of lock 10 prescribed as a
standard the Department relying for selects
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, invited, may develop. lt is, how
cver proper to state. that lock suitable Tor the
mail service should possess the following guam,
ties viz durability, uniformity, lightness, and
strength.
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now In use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required 10 be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend ON the durability OF the
locks and keys adopted, well as the increase OF
the mail service; but il will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered if it be like any al
veady in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make, sell,
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
traced for for any other purpose or use than that OF
the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and
the paentee will be required on entering into con-
tract to make an Assignment OF his patent for the
exclusive use and benefit of the Department, If the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential TO the interests of the service. In case oil
the failure of the contractor at any time to iulhl
faithfully the terms and conditions OF his contract,
the Postmaster General shall have the right, De-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annul said contract and to contract anew
with any other party parties az he may see ht Tor
furnishing similar locks and keys.
in deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered the Postmaster General may deem II expe-
dent TO select for the through mails the lock OF one
bidder, and for the way mails that OF another. he
reserves therefore, the right OF contracting with
different individuals for such different kinds oil
locks he may select and also the right 70 reec'
all the specimens and proposals, if he shall deem
that course for the interest of the Department The
party or parties contracting will be repaired Ito
give bond, with ample security, IN the sum OF
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
of the contract. The contract Is to contain provi-
sions for the due and proper inspection OF the locks
and keys and also for guarding against their pass
ing4nto improper hands; the terms OF these provi'
sions to be arranged between the Department ane
the successful bidder, if bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered if not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence Of the trustwor
thy character of the bidder, and OF bis AFFINITY
fulfil the contract
N. HALL, Postmaster General
Mar l7-lawtjyI