American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-09
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

VI,
March IA, 1851. I
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States, specimen locks and keys with pro-
posa 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
uishing 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 10 that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years. -t
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair composition invited, may
develop IL Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz durability uniformity, lightncss and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into;
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bty Of the locks and keys adopted, well as the in
crease 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 II 1t be like any already in
general use; nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make, SELL or furnish any
lock key similar 10 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 contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
ent OF III the Iostnastcr General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests
service. In 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
bcsides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned, to annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party pqrties as he may M for furnishing
similar locks and Keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expeden select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for
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 tracing will be required to give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The con-
tract Is to contain provisions for the due and proper
specon 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, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and OF his ability TO fulfil the contract
.. r.I. N. X HALL
mar a. Postmaster General.