American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-20
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFIcg DEPARTMENT.


March IA, 1861. 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 viii be received and considered
noxt The different locks will be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL soon as practicable be entered into for fur
nshing such locks andkeys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
and continue the contract in force for add
onal term Of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years. 3
with view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De-
rartment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competitions invited, may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability uniformity ghness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new 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 will depend the dura
by Of the locks and keys adopted, as well the in
Of the mail services but IL will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II It be like any already in
general use; nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make sel 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 the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and
eft Of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to the interests
service In OF the failure of the contractor at any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right,
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annul said contract and TO anew with
any other party parties as he may M for furnishing
similar locks and keys. ..t 41r
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem IL expedicnt select
for 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 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 give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract s to contain provisions for the due proper In
spection Of the locks and keys 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 will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character of
the bidder, and Of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N X. HALL,
mar 24- Postmaster General