American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-15
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT, |
AIn..nL 1lEI

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, 4
March IL, 1851 (
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
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 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
TO extend and continue the contract In force for add
onal term Of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice 10 that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination OF the fret term
Of four years.
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no kind Of lock prescribed as standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited maS
leveop IL Is however proper 10 state that lock suit
1be for the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz: durability uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all tn,
new locks and twenty thousand thereto will be-
required TO be furnished by the within
months after tho contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura.
bty Of the locks and keys adopted well the in.
Of the mail service; but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
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 10 make, sal or furnish, any
lock or key similar 10 toae contracted for for any oth
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 and ben
eft Of the Department 81 the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of thu
service In OF the failure of the contractor any
time fulfil faithfully tho terms and conditions Of hi,
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned 20 annul said contract and TO contract witt
any other party parties he may It, for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expcdien to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for thu
way mails that Of another lie reserves there FORE th
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds OF locks he Inay select and also tn,
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
eem 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
lara faithful performance of the contract The con
tract II TO contain provisions for the due and proper
specon 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 win be considered II 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