The republic., 1851-04-17
proposals FOR MAIL BAGS.
Posr OFrlcE DEPARrMKNT,
DEcFMRER "a. 1851

PROPOSALS FOR MAIL BAGS.
Posr OrrlcE DxPARrmxSr.
DscEMBER "a, 1850.
SEALED PROPOSALS will be received at this
~ Department until9 o'clock .. IN. Of the 2lst day
Of April next for furnishing for four years from the
first day Of July next, in such quantities and at
such times as may be required and ordered for the
mail service, Mail Bags Of the following descriP-
ton, TO wit:
CANVASS MAIL BAGS.
Size No (43 inches in length and 81 inches in
circumference) to be made OF cotton canvass,
weighing Is ounces to tn yard Of ~ inches width;
the yarn of the fabric to be doubled and twisted and
five fold.
Size No Q al inches in length and 4s inches in
circumferencc) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing Is ounces to the yard OF n inches IN
width, and the cloth to be woven In every respect
like that of the first size of bags
Size No. (32 inches in length and 80 inches in
circumference) to be made of cotton canvass.
weighing 10 ounces to the yard. and the cloth to
be woven above described.
The canvass bags Of sizes Nos and are to be
made with sufficient number Of eyelet. holes, and
provided with strong cord to secure their mouths.
All are to be marked inside and outside thus: "U.
s. MAIL"
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES,
Or mail bags with circular bottoms, opened and
fastened at one end:
Size No. l, - inches in longth and 60 inches in
Size No. 2, Al inches in length and 4s inches in
circumference.
Size No. 3. SO inches in length and ~ inches in
circumference.
Size No. 4, 80 inches in length and 36 inches in
circumference
Size No. s, 26 inches in length and % inches in
circumference.
good and substantial bag leather. well tanned,
weighing for Nos. and not less than 8 ounces.
and for the smaller sizes not less than ounces the
square foot; the bottom and flap to be of good skrt
-lactb 49, -. al ~ t,h Ia
and strongly secured with the bestiron riyets well
timed.
The canvass pouches are to be made Of densely-
woven canvass, as to resist water. like the can
vass pouches now in use for the mail service.
HORSE MAIL BAGS, (Is sADDLr-BAas Yonn.)
Size No. 1. Body 46 inches long and 40 inches in
circumference ut widest parts.
Size No. 2. Body a inches long and 36 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 3. Body az inches long and 32 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Ends or bottoms Of size No. !, IL by "a inches.
Do do do No. 2, II BY 22 do
Do do do No. 3. 10 by 20 do
The leather horse mail bags are to be made OF
Weighing not less than ounces to the square foot,
and the seams to be well and strongly sewed, or. il
rveted, to be done neither to chafe horse nor
rider.
The canvass horse mail bags are to be made OF
the same quality of fabric as the pouches above
described. mIA
DROP LETTER POUCHES, with SIDE POCKET }
Size 26 inches in length and % inches in circum-
| ference.
Proposals for improvements in the construction
of any of the above described mail bags or in the
materials thereof will be receiyedi and the relative
value and adaptation TO the service, as well az
price Of such Improvement, will be considered In
| determining the lowest and best bidder.
0Ut All the articles contracted for are to be de-
ivered at the contractors expense, at Boston. Mas
sachusetts; New York and Buffalo, New York;
IL n~-- nj -
more, Maryland; Washington, D. G.; Charleston,
South Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Huntsville, Ala
baIna; New Orleans, louisiana; Nashville, Tennes-
see; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; st.
times as the Department may require; where they
are to be rigidly inspected, and none to be
ceived which shall be inferior in any respect to the
specimens or standard bags.
No proposal will be considered if not accompa-
MED with samples Of each article bid for, showing
the construction. quality Of materials, and work
manshp proposed, and also with evidence Of the
competency and ability ofthe bidder to execute the
work according to contract.
The specimens must be delivered at the Depart
ment on or before the 2lst day of April next, and
will, in connexion with the proposals. form the ba
sis of the contracts.
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond with sufficient sureties, TO be certi
fed to by the Postmaster OF the place where he or
they may reside, in a sum OF money double the
amount of contract, for faithful performance of
the obligations entered into.
II having been suggested by Postmnsters of ex-
perience and others that the common canvass bags,
first above described, (of sizes Nos. / and 81
should be made to be locked, proposals and
specimens are invited for bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also Of handle at
the mouth and at the bottom Of each bag.
For the information of bidders in reference to the
number Of mail bags which will probably be re-
quired, the number, kinds, and sizes Of bags
manufactured for the use of the Department during
the year, from the 1st July, 1849 to the Both June,
foll No 4 M
776 No 8. TAT No. 4, and 800 No. pouches; 254
No. !, 1872 No. 2, and 276 No. horse bags; and
6,575 No ], ,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common can
uass bags.
The proposals should be endorsed: "Proposals
for Maj Bag.," and be addressed TO eIPosfmasteT
General
N. K. HALL Postmaster General
Dec % p