American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-18
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS g. KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Oh the United e,aes' specimen LOCKS anu Keys WIN pro
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 con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nhng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part Of the Postmaster Gener for the time being
TO extend and continue the contract in force for ad
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. gEr.. 81 .
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock prescribed rs standard the De-
parnen relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability uniformity ghtness and strength.
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in USE about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto viii be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
crease Of the mail service but It will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter. 5 i.
No lock will be considered II IL 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 70 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that OF the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the pa
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and
eft Of The Department IF the Postmaster General shall
service case 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 mem
toned 10 annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as he may see fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem It expccnt 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 he may select and also the
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 TO contain provisions for the due and proper
specton of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, bid should be accepted
No application win be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. *. HALL,
mar 2- .t Postmaster General.