American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-15
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS s. KEYS.

March IA, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys some
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys wit pro
posals 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 a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will as practicable be entered into for fur
nishng 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 an 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 is prescribed Standard the De
partment relying for selection on 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
tiles, viz durability unifoEny bghtness, and strength
For the purpose of dispfacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered no
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bilty of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
crease of the mail service but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
general use; will any 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 DO patented, and the pa
an assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests OF the
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
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedient 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
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
deem 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 if 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 24- Postmaster General.