American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-12
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


March IA, 1851 I
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 same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to q commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being,
extend and continue the contract in force for add
tona term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice 10 hat eec not more than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
of four years. .t as-.
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind OF lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop 1t is however, proper to state thnt lock suit
ties viz; durability uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
new locks twenty thousand keys 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-
by of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease Of the mail service; but II will probably
ceed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand Of the latter
No lock will be considered If 1t be like any already in
general use; 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 must be patented and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract 10 make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
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 the right
besides resort TO theApena remedy hereinafter men.
toned annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys. BIB. H9t4
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem 1t expedient TO select
the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that of another He reserves, therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject oil the specimens and proposals. 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
tract contain provisions for the due and proper
spection Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions 10 be 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.