American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-06
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

[
March II, 1851. I
heing 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 pro
poss TO furnish the same, will be received and considered
ut the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report. Upon this report
tracts w as practicable, be entered into for fur
nshing such locks and keys for 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 GdG
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 torn
Of four years.
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard, the
partmen relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t IT, however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for tire mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz; durability uniformity, lighness, and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new ocl end twenty keys adapted thereto will
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the durn
bity OF the locks and keys adopted rs well as the in
Of the mail service; but it will probably never c
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock viii be considered If it be like any already IN
general use; nor viii any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, or furnish any
lock or Key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind oflock adopted must be patented the pa
entce will be required, entering into make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department, f the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential the interests of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor NJ any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions his
contract, the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned, 10 annul said contract and contract anew with
other party parties he may H for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expcdent TO select
for the through mails the dock 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 to reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security, in the OF thirty thousand dol
lara for faithful performance of the contract The con.
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper In.
specon of the locks and Keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, terms OF
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar Pr Postmaster General.