The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-24
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


MARCH IA, 1851.
vr pEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
i keys of some other kind for those now IN use ior
the mail service of the United States. specimen
locks and KEYS with proposals to furnish the same,
will be received and considered at the Post Ofhce
Department until the first day Of July next. The
different locks will be submitted 10 commission
for examination and report Upon this report,
contracts will. soon as practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
wears with the right on the part ~ the Postmaster
General for the time being to extend and continue
the contract in force for additional term of four
years, by giving TO the contractor written notice
TO that effect, not more than nine nor less than ak
months before the termination of the first term Of
four years.
With view of procuring the best lock at the
lowest price, no kind of lock is prescribed as
standard the Department relying for selec uon
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which iair
competition, now invited, may develop. lt 49, now
ever. proper TO state. that a lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following qual,
ties, viz durability, uniformity, lightness, and
strength.
the mail locks and keys now in use. about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required to be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into afterwards the
annual supply will depend on the durability OF the
locks and keys adopted, as well as the increase OF
the mail service; but il will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand OF the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II it be like any al
ready in general use; will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make, sell
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
tracted for for any other purpose than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentcc will be required, on entering into con-
tract, TO make assignment of his patent for the
exclusive and benefit of the Department if the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential the interests of the service In of
the failure of the contractor at any time to fulfil
faithfully the terms and conditions of hs contract
the Postmaster General shall have the right, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned, annu said contract and to contract anew
with any other party parties as he may tit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered the Postmaster General may deem ii expe-
dent to select for the through mails the lock of
bidder, and for the way mails that of another He
different individuals for such different kinds OF
locks as he may select, and aso the right to reject
all the specimens and proposals, if he shall deem
that for the interest of the Department The
party or parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security. in the sum OF
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
of the contract The contract is to contain proyi-
sons for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys, and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms Of these prov
sions to be arranged between the Department ano
the successful bidder, if bid should be accepted
No application will be considered if not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence of the trustwor
thy character of the bidder, and Of his ability tC
fulfil the contract.
N. X. HALL Postmaster General
Mar T-lawtjyl