The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-24
PROPOSALS FOR MAIL BAGS.


4t
PosT OrFIcr DEpARrMrrr,
DECEMBER "a, 1850.
GEALED PROPOSALS will be received at this
~ Department until O'Clock a. IN. of the 81 st day
Of April next, for furnishing for four years from the
| hrst day Of July next, in such quantities and at
such times as may be required and ordered for the
mail service, Mail Bags Of the following descrip-
ton, 10 wit:
CANVASS MAIL BAGS.
Size No (43 inches in length and 50 inches in
circumferencc) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing Is ounces to the yard of % inches width;
the yarn of the fabric to be doubled and twisted and
Size No. al inches in length and 48 inches in
circumference) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing l5 ounces to the yard of ~ inches in
width, ana me cloth to be woven in every respect
like that Of the first size Of bags
Size No (32 inches in length and 38 inches in
circumference) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth to
be woven as above described.
The canvass bags of sizes Nos. and are to be
made with sufficient number Of eyelet- holes, and
provided with strong cord to secure their mouths.
All are TO be marked inside and outside thus: ssU
s. MAIL
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES,
Or mail bags with circular bottoms, opened and
fastened ut one end:
Size No !, 4s inches in length and 60 inches in
circumference.
Size No. 2, al inches in length and 4s inches in
Size No. 3. s6inches in length and 42 inches in
circumference. e@
Size No. 4, 80 inches in length and SO inches in
Size No. s. IS inches in length and % inches in
circumference
The body of the leather pouches is to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, well tanned,
weighing for Nos. and not less than ounces,
and for the smaller sizes not less than ounces the
square foot; the bottom and flap to be of good skirt
ing leather, we'll tanned, and the seams to be well
and 6trOUUlV 6ecured with the heat riv In wa
timed.
The canvass pouches are to be made of densely-
woven canvass, to resist water, like the can.
vass pouches now in use for the mail service.
HORSE MAIL BAGS, I'm sADDLE-BAos FoaM.)
Size No. l. Body 46 inches long and 40 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 2. Body a. inches long and &c inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 3. Body AZ inches long and 80 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Ends or bottoms of size No. 1, IL by "a inches.
Do do do No. 2, III by % do
Do do do No. 8, 10 by 20 do
The leather horse mail bags are to be made Of
good and substantial bag leather, we'll tanned,
weighing not less thanz ounces to the square foot,
and the seams to be well and strongly sewed or if
rivcted to be done neither to chafe horse nor
rider. #a X
The canvass horse mail bags arc to be made Of
the Same quality of fabric as the pouches above
described. m
DROP LETTER POUCHES, with SIDE rockrr.)
Size 26 inches in length and % inches in circum-
ference.
Proposals for improvements in the construction
of any of the above described mail bags, or in the
materials thereof will be receved and the relative
value and adaptation to the service, as we'll as
price OF such improvement will be considered in
| determining the lowest and best bidder.
00- All the articles contracted for are to be de-
vsred, at the contrac tors expense at Boston, Mas
Philadelphia and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Balti-
more, Maryland; Washington, D. c.; Charleston,
South Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Huntsville, Ala
| bans; New Orleans, louisiana Nashville, Tennes-
see; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; St.
Louis, Missouri, in such proportions and at such
times as the Department may require; where they
are to be rgidly inspected, and none to be re-
ceived which shall be inferior in any respect to the
1 specimens or standard bags
No proposal will be considered if not accompa-
MED with samples Of each article bid for, showing
the construction. quality of materials, and work
manship proposed, and also with evidence of the
competency and ability the bidder to execute the
work according to contract.
The specimens must be delivered at the Depart
ment on or before the 2lst day of April next, and
will in connexion with the proposals. form the ba-
| sis of the contracts.
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond, with sufficient sureties, Ito be so certi-
fed to by the Postmaster of the place where he or
they may residc,) in sum of money double the
amount of contract, for faithful performance OF
the obligations entered into
1 II having been suggested by Postinastcrs of ex-
perience and others that the common canvass bags,
first above described, (of sizes Nos. / and 2,
should be made 80 as to be locked, proposals and
specimens invited for canvass bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also Of handle at
/ the mouth and at the bottom of each bag.
For the information Of bidders in reference to the
number of mail bags which will probably be re-
quired, the number, kinds, and sizes of bags
manufactured for the use of the Department during
the year, from the lst July, lS49 to the 30h June,
l 1850, given follows: l52 No. !, 836 No. 2,
TIC No. 8. TAT No. 4, and 2sO No. s pouches; 254
| No. 1, 1872 No. Q, and 276 No. horse bags; and
6,675 No. /, l,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common
uass bags
! The proposals should be endorsed: Proposals
for Mail Bags," and be addressed to thc' Postmaster
| General
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
| Dec 2S