American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-14
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, l
L 4 4 NJ z

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I
,-0 March ID, 1851. +
being desirable substitute locks and keys of
i other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nhng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for a
ona term Of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years. .E.=.- +, #.. ..
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no kind Of lock is prescribed standard the
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop. 1t Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ites viz durability, uniformity, lighness, and strength.
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
locke and twenty thousand keys 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 on the dura-
by of the locks and keys adopted well as the in
Of the mail service; but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the latter
No lock will be considered II IL be like any already in
general use will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL or furnish any
lock key similar To those contracted for any other
purpose than that of the Post Once Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
ent OF the II postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests Of
service In OF the failure OF the contractor 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 men
toned to annu said contract and TO contract anew with
any other party parties as he may 1T for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedient to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks as he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. IL he shall
that for the interest OF the Department The
party parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security in the OF thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper
spection Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands the terms
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will DO considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General