American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-25
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I
iI,,,.cL II 1881

1 PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT
4 March IL, 1851.
being desirable TO substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posals furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will he submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
tonal term of four by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard, the De
partmcn relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop. 1t IL however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz durability, uniformity lightness, and strength
Por the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura
bity of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
Of the mail service but It will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If II be like any already in
general will any with whom the contract
may bc made be allowed TO make sell, or furnish any
lock key similar TO 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
tentec will be required entering into contract to make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department. il the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential 10 the interests of the
service. In of the failure of the contractor at any
time to 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 annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock OF bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves, therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right n reject all the specimens and proposals. IL he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance OF the contract The
tract liz TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
tho bidder, and Of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
"a Postmaster General,