American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-24
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS g. KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I



March H. 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
i other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same will be received considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day 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
nshing locks and keys years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
on term Of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine 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
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
tiles viz durability, uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dispacng simultaneously MI the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new 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 the dura
bity of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock viii 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 or 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 make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
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 as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem it expedent select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another. lie 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. IL he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party or parties will be required TO give bond
with ample security, In the sum of thirty thousand dol
lars, for faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract to contain provisions for the due proper in
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 IL bid should be accepted
No application will DO considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.