American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-11
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,l
March IA, 1851.
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same win 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 practicable, be entered into for fur
nshng 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 more than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
of four years. ags.E4sa
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
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 possess the following quail
ites viz durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered to
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
by Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
of the mail service; but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter. ~ ri
No lock win be considered if it 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 than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract to
assignment of his patent for the exclusive use ben
eft of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests the
service In case Of the lure 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 contract anew with
any other party parties as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks aud keys. ~ III tan .g5t iatHsM ElI
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem II expeent TO select
for the through mails the lock of bidder for the
way mails thnt Of another He 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 IL he shall
deem that for the interest Of tho Department The
party parties contracting viii be required give bond
with ample securty In the sum Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract Is to contain provisions for the and proper in
spection Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, terms Of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application win be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and Of bis ability to fulfil the contract
1 haR N. X. HALL,
mar ID Postmaster General