The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-06
PROPOSALS FOR MAIL BAGS.

PROPOSALS. FOR MAIL BAGS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT..
DECEMBER "a, 1850.
GEALED PROPOSALS will be received at this
- Department until oclock a. m. of the 2lst day
Of April next for furnishing for four years from the
hrst day Of July next, in such quantities and at
such times as may be required and ordered for the
mail service, Mail Bags of the following descrip-
ton, 10 wit:
CANVASS MAIL BAGS.
Size No (43 inches in length and 62 inches in
circumference) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard Of % inches width;
the yarn OF the fabric to be doubled and twisted and
FIVE fold.
circumference) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing Is ounces to the yard of 81 inches in
width, and the cloth to be woven in every respect
like that of the first size of bags.
Size No. (32 inches in length and 35 inches in
circumfcrence) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth to
be woven above described.
The canvass bags of sizes Nos. and 2 are to be
made with sufficient number Of eyelct- holes, and
provided with strong cord to secure their mouths
All are to be marked inside and outside thus "U.
S. MAIL"
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES,
Or mail bags with circular bottoms. opened and
fastened at one end:
Size No. l, 4S inches in length and 60 inches in
circumference.
Size No. 2, ii inches in length and 4s inches in
Size No. 3. 36 inches in length and AZ inches in
circumference.
Size No. 4, 30 inches in length and SO inches in
circumference.
Size No. S, 26 inches in length and % inches in
circumference.
The body Of the leather pouches ia to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, we'll tanned,
Weighing for Nos. I and not less than ounces
and for the smaller sizes not less than the
square foot; the bottom and flap to be of good skirt
ing leather, well tanned, and the to be well
otY Akok
timed.
The canvass pouches are to be made of densely-
woven canvass, to resist water, like the can.
vass pouches now in use for the mail service.
HORSE MAIL BAGS. (IN sApDLr-BAos roaM.)
Size No. l. Body 46 inches long and 40 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 2. Body ~ inches long and 36 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 3. Body AZ inches long and 80 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Ends or bottoms Of size No. 1, IL by "a inches.
Do Do do do do do No. No. ). iobyyao by 20 do
The leather horse mail bags are to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, we'll tanned,
weighing not less than ounces to the square foot,
and the seams to be well and strongly sewed, or, if
riveted, to be done neither to chafe horse
rider.
The canvass horse mail bags are to be made of
the same quality of fabric as the pouches above
described.
DROP LETTER POUCHES, with SIDE pocxEr.)
Size 26 inches in length and 90 inches in circum-
ference.
Proposals for improvements in the construction
of any of the above described mail bags, in the
materials thereof will be received; and the relative
value and adaptation to the service, well as
price OF such improvement, will be considered in
determining the lowest and best bidder.
0J- All the articles contracted for to be de-
livered at the expense, at Boston, Mas
snchusetts New York and Buffalo, New York;
Philadelphia and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Balti-
more, Maryland; Washington, D. C.; Charleston.
South Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Huntsville, Ala
| bama; New Orleans, louisiana; Nashville, Tennes-
see; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; St.
Louis, Missouri, in such proportions and at such
times as the Department may require; where they
are to be rigdly inspected and none are TO be re-
ceived which shall be inferior in any respect to the
| specimens or standard bags.
No proposal will be considered if not accompa-
MED with samples of each article bid for. showing
the construction, quality of materials, and work
manship proposed, and also with evidence of the
competency and ability ofthe bidder TO execute the
| work according to contract.
| The specimens must be delivered at the Depart
ment ON or before the 2lst day of April next, and
WILL in connection with the proposals. form the ba-
sis of the contracts.
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond, with sufficient sureties, (to be certi
fed TO by the Postmaster Of the place where he or
they may reside,) in a sum Of money double the
amount of contract, for faithful performance of
the obligations entered into.
1t having been suggested by Postmasters Of ex-
perience and others that the common canvass bags,
FIRST above described, (of sizes Nos. ! and %
should be made as to bo locked, proposals and
specimens are invited for canvass bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also Of handle at
the mouth and at the bottom Of each bag.
For the information Of bidders in reference to the
number of mail bags which will probably be re-
quired, the number, kinds, and sizes of bags
manufactured for tho use Of the Department during
the year. from the Let July, l849 TO the 30th June,
1850, are given as follows l52 No. J., s3s No. 2,
TIC No. 8. TAT No. 4, and 290 No pouches; 254
| No. /, 1872 No. 2, and 276 No. horse bags; and
6,575 No. l, ,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common
cass bags.
| The proposals should be endorsed " Proposals
for Mail Bags, and be addressed to thcs Postmaster
| General.
N. K HALL, Postmaster General
| Dec %