The republic., 1851-01-28
PROPOSALS FOR MAIL BAGS.

PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
DEcsMssR "a, 1850.
SEALED PROPOSALS will be received At this
~ Department until 8 o'clock a. m of the 2lst day
Of April next for furnishing for four years from the
6rst day Of July next, in such quantities and at
such times may be required and ordered for the
mail service, Mail Bags of the following descrip-
ton, to wit
CANVASS MAIL BAGS.
Size No ! (43 inches in length and 81 inches in
circumference) to be made OF cotton canvass,
weighing Is to the yard Of % inches width;
the yarn OF the fabric 70 be doubled and twisted and
five fold
Size No. (4l inches in length and 40 inches in
circumierence) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing Is ounces to the yard of n inches in
width, and the cloth to be woven in every respect
like that OF the first size Of bags.
Size No. (32 inches in length and 80 inches in
circumference) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth to
be woven above described. f
The canvass bags Of sizes Nos. and are to be
made with sufficient number Of eyelet holcs, and
provided with strong cord to secure their mouths.
All are to be marked inside and outside thus: "U.
S. MAIL"
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES,
Or mail bags with circular bottoms, opened an
fastened at one end
Size No. /, As inches in length and 60 inches in
circumference.
Size No. 2, Al inches in length and 48 inches in
Size No. 3, SO inches in length and AZ inches in
circumference
Size No. 4, 80 inches in length and Sc inches in
circumference.
Size No. 5, % inches in length and 2s inches in
circumference.
The body of the leather pouches is to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, well tanned,
weighing for Nos. and not less than ounces.
and for the smaller sizes not less than the
square foot; the bottom and flap to be of good skirt
ing leather well tanned, and the seams to be well
and strongly secured with the bestiron rivets well
timed. p
The canvass pouches are to be made of densely-
woven canvass, to resist water. like the can
Vase pouches now in use for the mail service.
HORSE MAIL BAGS, (IN sADDLE-BAas FoRM.)
Size No i. Body 46 inches long and 40 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No 2. Body ~ inches long and 36 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 3. Body AZ inches long and 32 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Ends or bottoms Of size No. 1. IL by "a inches
Do DO do No. 2, u BY % do
Do do do No. 3. 10 by 20 do
The leather horse mail bags are to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, well tanned,
weighing not less than ounces to the square foot,
and the seams to be well and strongly scwed, or, if
rveted, to be 80 done neither to chafe horse
rider f.ts
The canvass horse mail bags are to be made of
the same quality of fabric a. the pouches above
described.
DROP LETTER POUCHES. with SIDE rooxsr.)
Size 26 inches in length and 90 inches in circum-
ference.
Proposals for improvements in the construction
OF any OF the above described mail bags, in the
materials thereof will be received; and the relative
value and adaptation to the service, as well as
price of such improvement, will be considered in
determining the lowest and best bidder.
Or All the articles contracted for are to be de-
vered, at the contractors expense, at BoetOn, Mas
sachusetts; New York and Buffalo, New York;
Philadelphia and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Balti
more, Maryland; Washington, d. G.; Charleston,
South Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Huntsville, Ala
bama; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennes-
see; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; st.
Louis, Missouri, in such proportion. and at such
times as the Department may require; where they
are to be rigidly inspected. and none are to be
ceived which shall be inferior in any respect to the
specimens standard bags.
No proposal will be considered if not accompa-
nicd with samples of each article bid for, showing
the construction, quality Of materials, and wofk-
manship proposed, and also with evidence of the
competency and ability the bidder to execute the
work according to contract.
The specimens must be delivered at the Depart
ment on or before the 2lst day Of April next, and
will, in connexion with the proposals, form the ba
sis of the contracts.
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond, with sufficient sureies, Ito be certi
fed by the Postmaster of the place where he or
they may reside,) in sum of money double the
amount of contract, for faithful performance of
the obligations entered into.
II having been suggested by Postmasters Of ex-
perience and others that the common canvass bags,
first above described, (of sizes Nos. and %
should be made 50 as to be locked, proposals. and
specimens invited for canvass bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also of handle at
the mouth and at the bottom of each bag.
For the information of bidders in reference to the
number of mail bags which will probably be
quired, the number, kinds, and sizes Of bags
manufactured for the of the Department during
the year. from the let July, 1S49 to the 3Oth June,
1850, are given follows: l52 No. /, 1898 No. 2,
776 No. 3, TAT No. 4, and 290 No. pouches; 254
No. l, 1872 No. 2, and 276 No. horse bags; and
6,575 No 1, I,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common can
vass bags.
The proposals should be endorsed I" Proposals
for Mail Bags' and be addressed to thc Postmaster
General.
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
Dec %