American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-17
FUaNIsuING NAL LOCKS AND KEys.

PosT OFFICE DrpARTMEST,l
March u. 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of some
other KIND for those in for the mail service
the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
osas furnish the same win BE- received and considered
the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
,ext The different locks will be submitted 10 commits
ion for examination and report Upon this report,
racts will ms practicabe be entered into for fur
fishing 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 add
onal of four years by giving to the contractor
ritu notice to that effect not than nine css
au six months before the termination of the first term
~ four years.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
no kind Of lock Is prescribed as standard the DE
relying for selection the mechanical skill
nd ingenuity which fair competition, invited ma,
evelop II is, however proper 10 state that lock suit
bile for the mail service should possess the following qua
ties, viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all ia,
nail locks and Keys now In USE about thirty Thousand
locks and twenty thousand key thereto will ~
required 81 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nO
tftrrwards the annual supply will depend the duia
hility OF the locks and keys adopted well as the In.
.rease Of the mail service but il will probably
y'ed in amount three thousand Of the former and
No lock will be considered II Il be like any already in
general nor will any with whom the contract
may he made be allowed to make sell, furnish,
ock key similar TO those contracted for for any oth
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the p
will be required. entering into 10 NAH
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and hen
eft Of The Department If the Postmaster General shat
lecm such requirement essential TO the interests Of the
service In ~ the failure Of the contractor any
time 10 fulfil faithfully the terms conditions of hi,
Contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 70 the peral remedy hereinafter mon
toned 10 annul said contract and to contract anew with
any other party parties ~ he may st. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
Ia deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent to select
the through mails the lock Of bidder, and for III
way mails that Of another. lie therefore t,
right Of contracting with different individuals or such
different kinds Of locks hu may select and also tn
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he rhs
deem for the interest Of the Department Th
party psrtcs contracting viii he required 20 give bond
with ample security, In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract The CON
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon Of the locks and keys, ard also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms OF
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application viii he considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character
tho bidder snd Of bis ability to fulfil the contract
n X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General