American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-02
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr 0FFIcK DEPARTMENT,
T. lroE

TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and Keys with pro
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 con
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nishng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part OF the Postmaster General the time being
10 extend and continue the contract in force for add
oDal 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 first term
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competitions invited may
able for the mail service should possess tho following quail
tiles, viz; durability uniformity lghness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto viii
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
Afterwards the annual supply viii depend on the dura
bity Of the locks and keys adopted, well as the in
Of the mail service; but it win probably
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter r. rs. aT
No lock viii be considered II 1t be like any already In
general use nor will any with whom the contract
may be mode be allowed to make, SELL 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 tho pa
entee win be required entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for tho exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential TO the interests 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 men
toned TO annul said contract and to contract with
any other party or parties as he may see IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys. I'D
In deciding upon tho 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 he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals II 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
tract IL 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 Of
these provisions 10 he arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character Of
= M. X. HALL,
a. Postmaster General.