American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-13
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

t..'s 20 -sa.'H Posi- 0FfIcE DEPARTMENT, I
+ HEag z.stGgt eN p taA-F March IA, 1851
TT 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-
posals to furnish the same will be received and considered
the Post Office Department until the first day Of july
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
ushng 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 term of four by giving to the contractor
written notice that effect not moro than nine less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
Of four years. .4 5ta 70 g12tU3G q. ai.i7. a1A2
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed Standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competitions invited may
develop 1t Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail Locks and Keys now IN use about thirty thousand
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply viii depend on the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted wen as the in
Of the mail service; but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
No lock viii be considered II IL be like any already in
general use; viii any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 70 make sell or furnish any
lock key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
Thend Of lock adopted must be patented, and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment ofhs patent for the exclusive ben
eft the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement. essential to the interests Of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor at any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions his
CONTRACTS the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned toannu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys t.ao .tH If. et8lfE
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem ii expedent to select
for the through mails the lock Of 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 AZ he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II 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 con
tract liz to contain provisions for the due and proper
specon of tho locks snd keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands terms Of
these provisions b be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder bid should he accepted
No application will be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidences Of the Trustworthy character of
the bidder, and Of bis ability to fulfil the contract
aaI8fu. Hsir ~ tIr9T1 RS sl.3 N. X. HALL, 81.
mar a. iB0 eat Postmaster General
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