American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-21
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
pnsT 0RrIcE DrpA RrMENr

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 pro
posas to furnish the will be received and considered
next The different locks will be submitted commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshing such locks keys for four years. with the right
the part OF the Postmaster General for the time being
20 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. y.
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 II 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 in use, about thirty thousand
new locke and twenty thousand thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the
bty of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
OF the mail services but It win probably never ex
coed In amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
general use; nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL furnish any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind ofock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive ben
eft Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
requirement essential to the interests Of the
service. In Of the failure of the contractor at
time 70 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of HIS
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besidcs resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to nnnu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem Il expedent select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way malls that Of another He reserves therefore, tho
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. H he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contrnct The
tract Is 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 terms
these provisions TO 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