American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-01
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March H. 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
the United States, specimen locks and keys with
posas to furnish the same will be received considered
at 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 con-
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
part OF the Postmaster General for the time being
extend continue the contract in force for add
ona term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice 10 that effect not than nine 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 competition, invited, may
develop 1t Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
itics viz durability, uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
twenty thereto win 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
blity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail servce but II will probably
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II be like any already In
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be 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 must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to interests the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor any
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and TO contract 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 expedent select
for the through mails the lock Of one 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 10 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 s 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
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character OF
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General