American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-28
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS q KEYS.

!
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States, specimen locks and keys with pro-
posa furnish the will be received and 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
nng such locks aud keys for four years, with the right
ON the part of the Postmaster General the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term Of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination OF the rst 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, now invited, may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
tiles, VIE durability uniformity, lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks 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, well the in
of the mail service; but IL will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand OF the former and one
thousand Of the latter
No lock will be considered II 1t be like any already in
general use nor viii any one 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
entee will be req rcd entering into contract to make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
service In Of the failure Of the contractor Mt
time 10 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 TO contract anew with
any other party parties he may see m for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem It expedent TO select
for the through mns 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 The
party or 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 TO contain provisions for the due and proper In
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms OF
these provisions 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
the bidder, and Of bis ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mas o. Postmaster Geneva