American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-29
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS g KEYS.

March IA, 1851
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will as soon as be entered into for fur
nishng such locks and keys for four years with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
onal term Of four years. by giving TO the contractor
written notice 10 that effect than nine
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years.
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop IL Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz; durability uniformity, lghness, and strength
For the purpose OF displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto will
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 tho locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service but will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered Il IL be like any already in
general 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 than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted be patented the pa
ontee will be required, entering into Contract to make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use and ben.
eft of the Department. III the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential 10 the interests Of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor Mt 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 hereinafter
toned TO annu said contract and TO contract anew with
any other paryor parties he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem II expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another He therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks ho 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 Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance OF the contract The con-
tract Is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
spccton Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the Of
these provisions TO DO arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II 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,
mar "a Postmaster General.