American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-08
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr orrrcE Department, |

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Marcel IA. 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
i other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas furnish the same will be received and considered
the Post Olive 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 WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
tona of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor less
than six months before the termination OF the first term
of four years.
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed as standard the De
partment 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
tiles viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose of dspacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and Keys now IN use about thilty
required be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into;
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura
bity Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
crease Of the mail services but II will probably never e2
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
No lock will be considered If It 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 any other
purpose or than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract to make
An assignment his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service Of the failure Of the contractor at any
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 men
toned TO annu said contract and to contract anew with
other party parties he may t for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock 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 20 reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
deem 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 faithful performances Of the contract The
tract 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
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II 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.