American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-03
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS g. KEYS.

March IA, 1851.
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
i other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same will be received and 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 soon as practicable be entered into for fur
nishing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
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 term
of four years.
price, kind Of lock is prescribed Standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
develop 1t Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
titles, viz durability uniformity, lighness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously oil the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new locks twenty thousand keys will
required be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bty Of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
Of the mail service; but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If 1t be like any already in
general use; nor will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL 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 make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use and ben
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor 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 to annu 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 lie 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. he shall
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
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 of
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.