American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-14
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
AfYyrb A 1871

March H. 1861. I
being desirable substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and Keys with pro-
posas furnish the same win be received and considered
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 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
extend and continue the contract in force for add
onal term of four years, by giving tho 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.
price, kind Of lock il prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited, may
develop II H. however, proper 10 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 displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bity Of the locks and keys adopted as well rs the in
of the mail service; but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter,
No lock will be considered If It be like any already in
general usc will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL furnish, any
lock or key similar to those contracted for for other
purpose use than that of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and the pa
cntec will be required entering into contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and hem
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 any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of HIS
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right,
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annu said contract and TO contract with
other party parties as he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem Il expedent select
Tor the through mails the lock of bidder, and for the
way mails that of another. lie therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right 30 reject all the specimens and proposals. II 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 in
spection of the locks aud 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 he considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character OF
the bidder, and Of his ability to fuln the contract.
N X. HALL.
mar 2t-- Postmaster General.