American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-02
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PoSr OFFICE DEPARTMENT, |

t.
March IA, 1851.
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 pro
posals to furnish the sae will be received considered
at 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 WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and KEYS for four wears with the right
the part of the Postmaster General 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 not than nine less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
Of four years
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the
partment relying for selection 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 the following
itics viz durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dspacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bity Of the locks keys adopted as well as the in
of the mail Service but il will probably never ex-
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
! thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered IL IL like any al ready in
! general use nor will any with whom the contract
may bc made be allowed to make SELL furnish any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tented will be required entering into contract to make
an assignment of bis patent for the exclusive ben
eft of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
deem such essential to the interests
service In of the future 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 10 the penal remedy hereinafter men.
toned to annu said contract and to contract anew with
any other party parties as he may h for furnishing
| similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals. and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedient 10 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 such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals II 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 for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract is 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, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar 81 Postmaster General.