American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-22
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
M1,.aL IA 1Sb1

POST OffICE
March IA, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks keys Of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas 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 commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nhng 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
tona term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor less
than six months before the termination OF the first term
With view OF procuring the best lock the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De-
parmcnt relying for selection the mechanical skill
ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dspacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
bty Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
of the mail service but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If It be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL furnish, any
lock similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose or than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tent will be required entering into contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In of the failure Of the contractor Mt 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 mem
toned to annul 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 deem il expcdien 10 select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that of another lie therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
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 faithful performance of the contract The
tract is contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
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
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. K HALL
mar "a Postmaster General.