The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-19
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
MARCH ID, 1851.

PosT OrrIcE DEPARTMENT,
MARCH ID, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks anc
i keys of some other kind for those now in fol
the mail service Of tho United States. specimen
locks and keys, with proposals TO furnish the same
will be received and considered at the Post Office
Department until the first d3y of July next. The
different locks will be submitted to q commission
contracts WILL a. soon AZ practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right the part of the Postmaster
General for the time being TO extend and continue
years, by giving TO the contractor written notice
TO that effect, not more than nine nor less than sir
months before the termination OF the first term Of
four years.
lowest price, no kind of lock il prescribed as
standard, the Department relying for selection
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. 1t is how
mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz durability, uniformity, lightness, and
strength.
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now In use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will bc required TO be furnished BY
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; Afterwards the
locks and keys adopted. a. well a. the increase Of
the mail service; but il will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If il be like any al.
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make, sell
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
tracted for for any other purpose than that oil
tho Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patenteo will bo required entering into con-
tract, TO make assignment of his patent for the
exclusive use and benefit Of the Department, If the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential TO the interests of the service In case Of
the failure OF the contractor at any time 70 fulfil
faithfully the terms and conditions Of his contract
the Postmaster General shall have the right be-
sides resort 10 thepenal remedy hereinafter men.
toned, TO annul said contract and to contract
With other patty or parties a. he may zee fit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals. and specimens
offered, tho Postmaster General may deem il cxpc.
dent 70 select for the through mails the lock Of one
bidder and for the way mails that of another He
reserves, therefore, the right of contracting with
different individuals for such different kinds of
locke a. he may select and also the right 70 reject
all the specimens and proposals., if he shall deem
that course for the interest Of the Department. The
party or Partie: contracting will Be required 70
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
o. the contract. The contract IL 70 contain prov-
sion: for the due and proper Inspection Of tie locks
and koys and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms Qfthese provi-
sions 10 be arranged bstween the Department and
the succeesfuI bidder. Il bid should e accepted
panied With sstssctcry evidence Of the trustwor-
Thy character Of ~ bidder. aad Of he ability to
NIX. HALL. Postmaster General
Mar H-lawtiyl WfgH eta aeee