American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-07
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFIcE DEPARrMENr,
-tM Hy.,.I II 1QEI


- hle ~ i# $3.50 March IA, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks keys of
other kind for those now in use for the mail service
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 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
on the part the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
cnai term Of four years by giving TO the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
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 competitions now invited, may
develop It Is however, proper 10 state that lock suit
able for mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz; durability uniformity, lghness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
Afterwards the annual supply viii depend the dura
bility Of the locks and keys adopted well the In
Of the mail service; but 1t will probably
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter ..t
No lock will be considered II IL be like any already in
general nor will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell, or furnish any
lock key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose or that Of the Ooe Department
The kind of lock adopted be patented and the pa
tentee win be required entering into contract 10 make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor any
time 10 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned, TO annul said contract and to contract with
any other party or parties as he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys. .f.. a1u I4
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedent to select
for the through malls the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that OF another lie reserves, therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
that for the interest of the Department The
party or parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contsct The CON
tract to contain provisions for the due proper in
specion Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder If bid should be accepted
No application win be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
3d. ~ X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General