American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-12
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT oFrcE DEPARTMENT,

tt.sH I'll March IA, 1851. !
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United Sates specimen locks and keys with pro
posals to furnish the same win be received 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 con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nishing such locks and keys years. with the right
on the part the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not more than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed Standard the De
partnent relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop 1t Is however proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should following quail
tiles, via: durability uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now In use, about thirty thousand
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease OF the mail services but II viii probably
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter. UIessI ..@i rs n Is.# 81
No lock will be considered II II be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
be made be allowed TO 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
tenee win be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and
eft OF the Department, IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such essential the interests OF the
service In OF the failure Of the contractor any
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 70 the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned TO annu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party parties as he may IT. for furnishing
| similar locks and Keys 4 4
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedent to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way malls that Of another. lie reserves, therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. II 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 dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract Is 10 contain provisions for the due and proper
spection OF the locks and keys, and also guarding
against their passing into improper hands; the terms
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability TO fulfil the contract
| N. X, HALL,
"a Postmaster General