American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-24
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT oFFIcE DEPARTMENT, l
March IL ISL

March Ia, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
il other kind for those In for the mail service
OF the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the win 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
tracts WILL 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 force for add
tona 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.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competiton invited, may
develop II Is however proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz durability uniformity lighness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto win 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
biity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service; but viii probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter
No lock will be considered II Il be like any already IN
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make, cell, furnish any
lock key similar To those contracted for 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 10 make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft OF the Department II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In OF the failure Of the contractor at any
time 20 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 70 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may m furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals aud specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedient 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder the
mails that of another. lie reserves therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals 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 10 give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract IL TO contain provisions for the due proper
spection Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the Of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder " bid should be accepted
No application will be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract,
~ X. HALL,
mar 2i- Postmaster General.