American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-19
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT
March Ia, 1851
1T being desirable substitute locks keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
osas to furnish the same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks will be submitted to a commis-
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will as soon practicable be entered into
nishing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for a
tonal term of four years by giving TO the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
than months before the termination of the first
Of four years.
With view Of procuring the best lock the lowest
price, no kind Of lock prescribed as standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop II Is however proper 10 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 displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in USE about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered uto
afterwards the annual supply viii depend the dura-
bty of the locks KEYS adopted well as the in
of the mail services but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
No lock will be considered II Il be like any already In
general use; viii any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell, furnish any
lock key similar 30 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 to maxi
assignment of hts patent for the exclusive and
eft of the Department. " the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of
service In of the failure Of the contractor any
time 10 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 annul said contract and to contract with
other party or parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys. t5l
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedient to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for
way mails that Of another lie therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals, he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting viii be required to give bond
with ample security, In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract. The con
tract to contain provisions for the due proper in
spection of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II 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.