American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-28
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March IA, 1851.
IT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those in for the mail seryice
of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posals furnish the same will be received considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will soon 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
TO extend and continue the contract in force for add
tonal term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice that effect than nine
than six months before the termination Of the first term
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
and ingenuity which fair competition invited, may
develop 1t Is however, proper 10 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability uniformity, 1ghness, 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 into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bity of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
of the mail service; but will probably never
coed in amount three thousand of the former one
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 furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract TO make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests Of the
service Of the failure OF the contractor ut 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 parties he may for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem it expedent to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder 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 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem 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
spccton of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms OF
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II 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 "a Postmaster General