Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-25

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,

March H. 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
4 Keys OF some other kind for those now in for the
mail service OF the United States, specimen locks and
KEYS, with proposals oifurnsh the same will be received
end considered at the Post Office Department until the
rst day OF July next The different locks will be sub
nlt'ed 10 commission for examination and report
Upon this report, contracts will, as soon as practicable
90 entered into for furnishing such locks and KEYS for
Iouf years with the right the part of the Postmaster
General Tor .he time being to extend and continue the
giving 10 he contractor written notice to that effect
not more than nine nor 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, no KIND lock sprescribed standards the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which a fair competition now invited,
may develop 1t is, however, proper to state that
lock suitable for the mail service should possess the fol-
loving qualities,vz. durability, uniformity, shtness
and strength.
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 with
IN seven months after the contract shall have been en-
tered into; afterwards the annual supply will depend
on the durability OF the locks and KEYS adopted as
well as tine increase of the mail service but will pro-
baby never exceed in amount three thousand of the for
mer and one thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered if it be like any already
In general use; nor will any with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish
any lock or key similar to those contracted for for any
partment.
The kind lock adopted must be patented, and the
patentee will be required, entering into contract
make assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit othe Department. the Postmaster General
shall deem such requirement essential to the interests
OF the service ln of the ia ure OF the contractor
at any time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions
OF his contract, the Postmaster General shall have
the right, besides resort to the penal remedy herein
after mentioned to annu said contract and TO contract
anew with any other party parties as he may see
tit, for furnishing similar locks and KEYS.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens Of
tered, the Postmaster General may deem it expedent
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 indi-
yiduas for such different kinds Of locks he may Sc
ec and also the right to reject all the specimens and
proposals, if he shall deem that for the interest
OF the Department. The party parties contracting
will be required to give bond with ample security in
the sum Of thirty thousand dollars for faithful peror
nance of the contract. The contract is to contain
provisions tor the due and proper inspection the locks
and keys and aso guarding against their passing into
improper hands; the terms ofthese provisions be
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
der, if bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered ifnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
of the bidder, and oil his ability to fulfil the contract.
NJ K. HALL, Postmaster General.
Ynh Iu