The republic., 1851-04-12
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr Orrfcs DsPAnrMnNr,
MAnnaa La laEl 49,

Posr Orrfcs DsPAnrMnNr, q
MARCH IA, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
Il keys Of some other kind for those now In use for
the mail service Of tho United States. specimen
locks and keys with propo:as to furnish the same,
Department until the first day of July next. The
different locks will be submitted to commission
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts will, AZ soon practicable, be entered
into for furnishing 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 additional term Of four
years, by giving to the contractor written notice
70 that effect not more than nine nor esa than six
months before the termination Of the first term of
four years. sssl
With view Of procuring the best lock at the
lowest price, no kind of lock 10 prescribed a. .
standard, the Department relying for selection
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II il, how
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail.
strength. sia
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required to be furnished BY
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have bcon entered into; Afterwards the
annual supply will depend the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted, as well az the increase of
the mail service but it will probably never exceed
In amount three thousand of the former and one
No lock will be considered if II be like any al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make sell,
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
tractcd for for any other purpose than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and
tract, to make assignment of his patent for the
exclusive and benefit Of the Department, il the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests of the service. In case of
fail 1( tt0 o~Ar a.
faithfully the terms and conditions Of his contract
the Postmaster General shall have the right, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter mon
toned, TO annu said contract and to contract anew
with any other party parties he may see t, for
furnishing similar locks and keys. asts. "a
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
dient to select for the through mails the lock Of one
bidder, and for the way mails that of another. He
reserves therefore, the right of contracting with
different individuals for such different kinds Of
locks a. he may select, and also the right to reject
all the specimens and proposals., if he shau dean
that course for the interest of the The
party or Partie: contracting will 30 required to
g,ye DTnd, wish ample security II the sum Of
Of the contract. The contract - contain provi-
sons for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys and also for guarding against their pass
sions to be arranged between the Department and
the successful bidder, if bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accom-
panied win sausIact0ry evidence OF the trustwor-
thy character of the bidder and Of his ability TO
fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
Mar l7--lawtjy1
ID II. HOOE q CO., Wholesale and retail deal;
= ers in Carpetipg, Floor Oil Cloths. Mattings,
Rugs, Curtain Materials, Shecting, Blankets, and
house furnishing goods generally.
Pcnnsylvania avenue ,bctween1th and 6thstrsets,
Washington, d. e. fetl
Aug 20--tf [Union.l
EsnsEssn Coox. GEoRau b. SAnenHY
COOK Il SARGENT,
GENERAL LAND AGENTS,
Corner Of Main and Second Streets
nuce Loss