American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-31
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS q KEYS.


March H. 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys
il other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posa to furnish the same will be received and considered
next The different locks win be submitted to q commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts WILL soon practicable, be entered into for fur
nhng 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
tona 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.
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection on tho mechanical skill
develop 1t Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz durability, uniformity ghtnes and strength.
For the purpose Of dispacing 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-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted as wei as the IN
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
general use; nor will any 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
Thekind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee win be required entering into contract to make
assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and BEN
eft of the Department IL 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 men
toned to annu said contract and TO contract anew with
any other party parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedcn TO 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 he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contractng 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 TO contain provisions for the due and 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, u bid should be accepted
No application win be 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 NJ Postmaster General.