The republic., 1851-06-09
FunsIsnIsc MAIL LOOKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMKsT,
MxprH Ia ls5i

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT
MAacH Ia, 1851
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
i keys Of some other kind for those now In tor
the mail service Of the United States. specimen
locks and keys, with proposals 70 furnish the same
will be received and considered at the Post once
Department until the first day Of July next The
different locks will be submitted TO a commission
for examination and report Upon this report
contracts will, as soon as practicable. be entered
into for furnishing 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 additional term Of four
years by giving to the contractor written notice
to that effect, not more than less than six
months before the termination of the first term Of
four years.
With a view of procuring the best lock at the
lowest price, no kind Of lock is prescribed
standard. the Department relying for "A selection
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II 10, how
ever proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail
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 lie required to be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend the durability of the
locks and keys adopted, well as the increase of
the mail service; but il will probably exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and ono
tnOu6dnu OF the lattcr.
No lock will be considered if it be like any al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed TO make sell,
or furnish any lock key similar to those con-
tracted for for any other purpose than that Of
tho Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and
The paentee will he required on entering into con-
tract to make assignment of his patent for the
exclusive and benefit Of the Depar rtment if the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement.
essential to the interests Of the service. In of
the failure OF the contractor nt any time to fulfil
faithfully the terms and conditions of his contract,
the Postmaster General shall have the right be-
sides aresort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned, to annul said contract and to contract anew
with any other party or parties he may fit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem il expe
dent to select for the through mails the lock of
bidder, and for the way mails that of another. He
reserves, therefore, the right of contracting with
different individuals for such different kinds of
locks as ne may select and also the right to reject
all the specimenaRnd proposals. il he shall deem
that for the Interest of the Department The
party or parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security, in the sum of
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
OF the contract. The contract il to contain provi-
sions for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys. and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms OF these provi-
sons to be arranged between the Department and
the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered if not accom-
thy character Of the bidder, and OF his ability to
fulfil the contract.
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
Mar l7-lawtyl