Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-14
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS ANDKEYs.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March ID 1851

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
vu ,,r,,,r, $500 March H. 1851.
4 Keys OF some other kind for those now in use for the
man service OF the United States specimen locks and
heys' win proposals ournish the same will be received
ana considered at the Post Office Department until The
lrst DAY OF July next The different locks will be sub
inl'ed 10 commission for examination and report
upon hls report contracts will, practicable
pe entered INTO Tor furnishing such locks and keys for
iouf years, with the right the part of the Postmaster
enefal tor the time being extend and continue the
contract in force for additional term of four years bv
Ewing 10 ire contractor written notice to that effect
ot more IMAM nine nor less than six months before the
termination OF the first term of four wears.
ilh view OF procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no KIND OF lock prescribed as standards the De-
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
anu ingenuity which lair competition, now invited
may develop 1t is, however, proper to state that
lock suitable Tor the mail service should possess the fol-
loving qualitles,viz durability, uniformity, ghtness
For the purpose of dspacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto
win oe required to be furnished by the contractor it'll
10 seven months after the contract shall have been en-
tered INTO afterwards the annual supply will depend
on the durability OF the locks and keys adopted, as
wen as the increase OF the mail service; but will pro-
badly never exceed in three thousand OF the for
mer and one thousand Of the latter
mo lock will be considered if it be like any already
10 general use nor will any with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed to make sell or furnish
other purpose than that Of the Post Office De.
partment.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and the
patentee Will be required entering into contract to
make an assignment of his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit otthe Departmental the Postmaster General
snail deem such requirement essential to the interests
OF the service In of the ia lure of the contractor
at any time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions
o. his contract, the Postmaster General shall have
tue right, besides resort to the penal remedy herein
AFTER mentioned to annul said contract and to contract
anew with any other party or parties as he NAV see
III, ior furnishing similar locks and KEYS.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens of.
lered the Postmaster General may deem it expedient
70 select for the through mails the lock of one bidder
and TOR the way mails that OF another He reserves
therefore, the right of contracting with different jndi
yduals for such different kinds Of locks as he may Sc
lect and also the right reject all the specimens and
proposals. if he shall deem that course for the interest
OF the Department. The party or parties contracting
wall be required to give bond, with ample security in
the sum OF thirty thousand dollars for faithful perfor-
nance OF the contract. The contract is to contain
tor the due and proper inspection oflhe locks
and keys, and aso guarding against their passing into
improper hands, the terms ofthese provisions to be ar
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
der, if bid should be accepted.
NO application will be considered ifnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
OF the bidder, and fhis ability to fulfil the contract
N. K. HALL, Postmaster General
NH 2l-lawtlJy