American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-17
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
ho,-nl IA 1SE1

March IA, 1851. !
being desirable to substitute locks and keys
L 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 and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different ockswl be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nishng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
tonal 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 invited, may
develop 1t is however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ites viz: durability uniformity, lighness, and strength.
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
new locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto will BE-
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
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 as the in
Of the mail service; but It will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II II be like any already in
general will any one 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 oflock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee will be required entering into contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive se and benz
III
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor 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
other party parties as he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL 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 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
spection 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 win 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