American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-18
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

Marcel II, 1851
being desirable substitute locks and keys of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
poss to furnish the same win be received and considered
Mt the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted 10 commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
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
to extend and continue the contract in force for ad
tona term Of four years by giving TO the contractor
written notice to that effect than nine
than six months before the termination of the first
of four years.
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock prescribed as Standard the De-
parment relying for selection the mechanical stl
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop. 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 displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now In about thirty thousand
new oce and twenty thousand 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 the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted we'll the i'm
of the mail servce but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If 1t be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish, any
lock key similar to those contracted for for other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In of the failure of the contractor ut 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 annul said contract and 10 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 may deem it expedient select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves therefore the
right of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
deem that course for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security, in the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper
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, II 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. X HALL
mar a. Postmaster General