American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-08
SHIRTS! SHIRTS!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS q KEYS.

March IA, 1851.
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posals furnish the same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks win be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will practicable, be entered into for fur
nishng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract In force for add
tonal Of four years, by giving TO the contractor
written notice 10 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 competition now invited may
develop IL Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
ites 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 will depend the dura-
bty OF the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease OF the mail service; but w probably never ex-
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II IL be like any already in
general use; will any 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 than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tence will be required entering into contract 10 make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use
OF III tne postmaster General snail
deem such requirement essential the interests Of the
service In case 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 TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party or parties as he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II exreent 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. he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X HALL
mar o. Postmaster General.