The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-21
FURNIsaING MAIL LOCKs AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARrMENr,
- MARCH Ii. 1851.

1T i...i .sef MARCH IL, 1901. s
TT BEING DESIRABLE 70 substitute locks and
u keys Of some other kind for those in use for
the mail service Of the United States, specimen
locks and keys with proposals 70 furnish the same
Department until the first day of July next The
different locks will DO submitted to . commission
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts will as soon as practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right the part Of the Postmaster
General for the time being 70 extend and continue
the contract in force for additional term Of four
years. by giving TO the contractor written notice
TO that effect, not more than nine nor less than six
months before the termination OF the hrst term Of
four years. fi,,o 81 {,s s,s ,,-., ~ rl s ~.
e with q view Of procuring The beat lock at the
lowest price, No kind OF lock IL prescribed q:
standard. the Department relying for q selection
on the mechanical skin and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. II IL. how
mail service should possess the following quaii-
ties, viz durability, uniformity, hghtness, and
strength. aarafru. ti.y sss sl.l.fss., y .sa
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required to be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted, well as the increase Of
the mail service; but il will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter. 7stN sil7 iiql9
No lock will be considered if it be like any al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make sell,
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
tracted for for any other purpose use than that Of
tho Post Once Department. ~ }eisi ni@aeas !
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentee will be required entering into con-
tract, to make assignment Of his patent for tho
exclusive use and benefit Of the Department, II the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests of the service. In Of
the failure Of the contractor at any time 70 1fuh
faithfully the terms and conditions Of his contract
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter mem
toned TO annul said contract and to contract anew
with any other party parties he may fit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys. 80 800 ei9
In deciding upon the proposals. and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem il expo
dent to 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 and also the right to reject
all the specimens and proposals, If he shall deem
that course for the interest Of the Department. The
party or parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security, in the sum of
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
OF the contract. The contract is to contain provi
sons for the due and proper inspection of the locks
and keys and also for guarding against tlSsr pass
ing into improper hands; tho terms of thcsc provi
sions to be arranged between tho Department. and
the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence of the rustwor-
thy character Of tho bidder, and Of his ability TO
fulfil the contract ysss9h ~ giHr -aH
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
Mar l7--Iawtjyl 50 ft4 aaEesi
ID II. HOOE & CO.. Wholesale and retail deal 7
! err in Carpeting, Floor Oil Cloths, mattings:
DE- H. = - ~ - 49, - u~k t ~