American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-25
MAIL LOCKS & KEYS.


E March Ia, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the same viii be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks viii be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part Of the Postmaster General the time being
TO extend and continue the contract In force for add
tonal term Of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice 10 that effect, not than nine
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, now invited may
develop IL Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess following Quail
ites viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, and strength.
For the purpose Of dispacing 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-
by Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but II win probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered IL II be like any already in
general use; will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL 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
tentee win be required entering into contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
deem such requirement essential to the interests the
service In Of the failure of the contractor at
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 mem
toned to annul said contract and 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 Il expedent TO select
for 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 fpr 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 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
spection 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
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II 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. r... ...... Postmaster General