American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-15
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


Mdrch IA, 1851
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those now in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with pro
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 be submitted to commis-
sion for examination and report Upon this report CON
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng 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 an add
ona of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
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 ski
develop It is however, proper to state that lock SUIT
able for mail service should the following quail
tiles viz: durability uniformity lghtness and strength
the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will be
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-
bty Of the locks and keys adopted rs well as the in
crease of the mail service but IL will probably never
coed in three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
general use; nor will 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 or use than that of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the
tentce will be required on entering into contract 70 make
an assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department if the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In case 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
toned annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem expedent 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 he may select, and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that course the interest Of the Department The
party or parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security in the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract "a TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon of the locks and keys, aud also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms OF
these provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character OF
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil the contract
'-' N. k, HALL,
mar Of Postmaster General