The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-13
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OrYIcx DEPARTMENr,
MARCH Ia, 1851.

Posr OrTIcE DEPARrMENr,
ts m sssG MARCH IA, 1851. 4o,
TT BEING DESIRABLE 70 substitute locks and
i keys of Some other kind for those in use for
the mail service OF the United States. specimen
locks and keys with proposals 70 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 commission
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts will a. soon "a practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right the part of tho Postmaster
General for tho time being 70 extend and continue
the contract in force for an additional term Of four
years, by giving to the contractor written notice
to that eject, not moro than nine nor less than six
months before the termination Of the first term Of
four years. SIS ssaa VII
lowest price, no Kind Of lock is prescribed a.
standard, the Department relying for . selection
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II 10, how
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz; durability, uniformity, ightness, and
strength. r 3
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required 70 be furnished BY
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted, 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 it 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 of
the Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentee will be required, entering into
tract, to make assignment Of his patent for tho
exclusive and benefit Of the Department, If the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests Of the service In Of
the failure Of the contractor at any time 10 fulfil
faithfully the terms and conditions Of his contract
the Postmaster General shall have the right, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned, 70 Annu said contract, and to contract
with any other party Or parties a. he may see h for
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem II expe-
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
locks he may select, and also the right 10 reject
al the specimens and proposals., If no shAli deem
party or parties contracting will Be required 70
give bond, with ample security, in We sum Of
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
Of the contract The contract ID 10 contain provi-
sons for the due and proper inspection Of the locks
and keys, and also for guarding against their pass-
ing into improper hands the terms of these provi-
sons to be arranged between the Department and
No application will be considered II not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence Of the tfustwor
thy character Of the bidder, and Of hin ability to
Nh. HALL. Postmastsr General.
Mar lT-lswIyi