American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-26
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

~ March IL, 1851.
T being desirable substitute locks and keys some
i other kind for those in for the mail service
If the United States. specimen locks and keys, with
osas to furnish the same will received and considered
Il the Post Office Department until the first day of july
eNt The different locks will be submitted to commits
on for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
sng such locks andkeys for four with the right
the part Of the Postmater General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term Of four by giving the contractor
written notice that effect not than nine less
han six months before the termination of the first term
# four years.
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
rce, kind of lock is prescribed standard, the De
artment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
evelop 1t is however proper to state that lock suit
'bc for the mail service should possess the following qun
tcF. viz durability. uniformity lghtness and strength
For The purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty Thousand keys thereto will H.
qured TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into:
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dur-
bity of the locks and keys adopted well the
of the mail SERVER: but 1t will probably
iced in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter
No lock will be considered IL it be like any already in
General nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make. sell, furnish any
lock key similar to those contracted for any Other
purpose than that of the Post Office department
The kind of lock adopted must he patented and the pa
will be required entering into contract max,
assignment Of hia patent for the exclusive
Eft OF the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential the interests OF the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor at any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 20 the penal remedy hereinafter
Toned 70 annu said contract and to contract with
any other party or parties az he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon che proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem 1t expedent to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder for thr
way ma that of another. lie therefore til,
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kindr Of locke he may select and also The
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II sha
deem that for the interest Of the Department III.
party parties contracting will he required give bond
with ample rcrurity, in the OF thirty thousand dol
lars, for faithful performance of the contract The
IL to contain provisions for the due and proper
specton 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
md the successful bidder. if bid should be accepted
No appliraton will be considered IL accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability 10 fulfil the contract
#&UN #. # N. X. HALL.
"a Postmaster General