American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-11
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT, |
N11-cL II 1871

March II, 1851
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of SOM
other kind for those now in for the mail servic
f the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
uosas TO furnish the same will be received considered
the Post Office Department until the first day of Jul,
ext The different locks will be submitted to commit
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
extend and continue the contract in force for udd
ionn term Of four years by giving the contractor
written notice To that effect not than nine lees
han six months before the termination Of the first term
u four years.
Jrice kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De
arment relying for selection the mechanical skill
md ingenuity which fair competition, invited
evclop. u is however, proper TO state that lock suit
bile for the mail service should possess the following quail
ties viz durability, uniformity, lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all tn,
nail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will b.
required TO furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into:
lft4rwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
blity Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service but IL will probably ex
eed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock win be considered If IT be like any already in
General nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make, sel furnish, any
ock key similar TO those contracted for any Other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee will be required entering into contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eem such requirement essential To the interests the
ervice In Of the failure Of the contractor at any
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
ontraet, the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned TO annul said contract and TO contract with
tny other party parties as be may IT. for furnishing
,imilar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
The Postmaster General may deem ID expedient select
Tor the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another He reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
iGerent kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right To reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
ecm that for the interest Of the Department Tho
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
for faithful performances Of the contract The con.
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection of the locks and keys, and also guarding
against their passing into improper hands the terms Of
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered " 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.