American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-29
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS & KEYS.


March IA, 1851.
1T being desirable substitute locks and keys Of some
other kind for those now in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with pro-
posals TO furnish the same, win be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks viii be 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 an add
ona 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
Of four years.
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 now invited, may
develop II is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for 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 in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto win be
required 70 be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered no
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bity Of the locks and keys adopted, as Wen as the in
Of the mail service but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and ono
thousand Of the latter.
No lock viii be considered If it be like any already in
general will any with whom the contract
may be made he allowed TO make, sell, furnish, any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive aud BEN
deem such requirement essential TO 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 70 contract anew with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedcnt TO select
for the through mns 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 he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party or parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract Is 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
andthc successful bidder, II bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence OF the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
NJ X. HALL,
mar 24- Postmaster General.