American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-30
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I
1SE1

March Ia, 1851. I
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
posas to furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks will he submitted to commits
sion for examination aud 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
tona term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect than nine less
than six months before the termination OF the first term
of four years.
With view Of procuring the best lock the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed Standard the De
parnent RELYING for selection on 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
itics viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of dspacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locke and twenty thousand keys thereto will b.
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura
bty of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service but it will probably never ex-
coed in amount three thousand OF the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If Il be like any already in
general use; will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell or furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract TO make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
service Of the failure of the contractor
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
toned annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may TT for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expeden TO select
for the through mails the lock OF one 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 parties 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 in
spection of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands; the terms
provisions TO bo arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should he accepted
No application will be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder and of his ability TO fulfil tho contract
I'm. X. HALL,
mar pa Postmaster General