American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-10
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
AT-..I "a 1G-1


March IA, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those now in use for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the same will be received and considered
ut the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks viii 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 for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years, ...-
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock prescribed standard, the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which ir competition. invited may
develop Is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose OF dspaoing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto 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 on the dura-
biity of the locks and keys adopted well the
of the mail seryce but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered if 1t be like any already
general use; will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL furlish, 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
entee will be required, entering into CONTRACT to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and
deem such requirement essential to the of the
service In Of the failure of the 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
other party or parties as he may it, for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem 1t expedent to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder 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
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. If he
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties 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
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 "a Postmaster General