American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-31
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I


March Ia, 1851. I
being desirable to 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 will be received and considered
next The different locks will be submitted commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will soon 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 add-
tonal term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
| of four years.
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed Standard the De-
parment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop il is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following
tiles, viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use about thirty thousand
locke and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required to be furnished by tho contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards tho annual supply will depend the dura-
bity of the locks and keys adopted ms well rs the in
of the mail scrvce but 1t will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If II be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO mako sell, or furnish any
lock or key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entec 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 case of the failure of tho contractor M
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 10 contract anew 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 II expedent TO 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 for such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department
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 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
the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application viii be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character Of
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General