The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-03
PROPOSALS FOR MAIL BAGS.


Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
DECEMBER "a, 1850.
CEALED PROPOSALS will be received at this
- Department until 9 O'Clock m. of the 2lst day
Of April next, for furnishing for four years from the
Hrst day Of July next, in such quantities and at
such times as may be required and ordered for the
nail 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 ounces 70 the yard Of % inches width;
he yarn Of the fabric to be doubled and twisted and
Ave fold
Size No. 2 (4I inches in length and As inches in
circumference) to be made Of cotton canvass,
Weighing u ounces to the yard OFF, inches in
width, and the cloth to be woven in every respect
ike that Of the first size of bags.
Size No (32 inches in length and 50 inches in
circumference) to be made of cotton canvass,
Weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth 10
be woven as above described.
The canvass bags of sizes Nos. and 2 are to be
made with sufficient number of eyeet- holes, 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. l, 48 inches in length and go inches in
Size No. 2. A inches in length and 4s inches in
circumference.
Size No. 8, s6 inches in length and 40 inches in
Size No. 4, 30 inches in length and SO inches in
circumference.
Size No. 5. IS inches in length and % 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 ounces the
square FOOT the bottom and flap to be Of good skirt
ing leather. we'll tanned, and the TO be well
and strongly secured with the bestiron rivets well
timed.
The canvass pouches arc to be made of densey
woven canvass, to resist water, like the can
yass pouches now in use for the mail service.
( Size No L. 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 ~ inches long and 81 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Ends or bottoms Of size No. 1, 2 by "a inches.
Do do do No. >, 10 By 30 do
( The leather horse mail bags are to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, we'll tanned,
weighing not less than ounces to the square foot,
and the seams TO be well and strongly sewcd, or, if
riveted, to be done neither to chafe horse
rider.
] The canvass horse mail bags are to be made of
the same quality of fabric as the pouches above
described
DROP LETTER POUCHES, (wIrn SIDE rocKEr.)
Size % inches in length and 2S inches in circum-
ference.
Proposals for improvements in the construction
Of amy of the above described mail bags, or 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
Qpt All the articles contracted for are to be de-
vered, at the contractors pcnse, at Boston, Mas
sochusetts; New York and Buffalo, New York;
Philadelphia and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Balti-
South Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Huntsville, Ala
bama; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennes
see; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; St.
Louis, Missouri, in such proportions and at such
arc to be rigidly inspected, and none to be re-
ceived which shall be inferior in any respect to the
specimens or standard bags. "a
! No proposal will be considered il not eccomPa-
MED with samples of each article bid for, showing
the construction. quality of materials, and work.
1 manship proposed, and also with evidence Of the
competency and ability the bidder to execute the
work according to contract.
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 sureties, Ito be cert.
fed to by the Postmaster OF the place where he or
| they may resdc,) in sum OF money double the
amount of contract, for faithful performance OF
| the obligations entered into.
Il 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 TO be locked, proposals and
specimens invited for canvass bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also Of a 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 re-
quired, the number, kinds, and sizes OF bags
manufactured for the use of the Department during
the year. from the Lat July, lS49, to the 30th June,
1880, are given as follows: l52 No. l, 1888 No 2,
TIC No. 8, TAT No. 4, and 290 No. pouches; 254
No. l. S32 No. 2, and ZIG No. horse bags; and
6,575 No. /, ,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common can
vdss bags.
| The proposals. should be endorsed: &c Proposals
for Mail Bags" and be addressed to helPosfmaster
General.
NJ X. HALL, Postmaster General.
Dec %