American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-26
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Dnun Ourrcu nrn.nn,.r,rr

March IA, 1851. !
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those now in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the same will be received and considered
the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks viii be submitted to commits
don for examination and report Upon this report con
,s s,c pa n tsys @ nr years with tbe riab,
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for an add
onal 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 skin
levelop 1t Is however, proper to state that lock suit
be for the mail service should possess the following quail
ties viz durability uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously oil the
mail locks and keys now In about thirty thousand
oew locks and thereto VIII 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.
bity Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but It will probably
,eed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered IL It be like any already in
general use; nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make SELL furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose or use than that Of the Post ONCE Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entec will be required on entering into contract 70 MAKE
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department. IL the Postmaster General shall
ieem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have tho right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annul said contract and TO contract With
any other party parties he may M for furnishing
similar locks and keys. 5e hta ~. H
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedient select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that 2, % as NE resGryss Therefore the
different kinds Of looks as be may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shn
deem that course for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting win be required to give bond
with ample security, In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for hithhl performance Of the contract The CON
tract IL 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 10 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
NJ X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.