American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-04
! SHIRTSI SHIRTS 1
FURNISHING MALL LOCKS AND KEYS,

~ PosT OFFICE DEpaRTMEyT,l
~ March IA, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of som,
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 commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts Will practicable, be entered into fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years with the figh
tho part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend continue the tract in force for add
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
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 competition, now invited
develop IL is however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ties viz: durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all th,
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks " thousand thereowi bt
required TO be furnished By the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards tho annual supply viii depend on the drra
biity Of the locks and keys adopted well as the in
of the mail services but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the laster. I. NlGe4 e f
No lock will be considered If II be like any already IN
general use; will, any with whom The contract
may be made be allowed to make, cell, furnish, any
lock or hey similar TO those contracted for for any ohe
purpose use than Tint of the Post Office Department
The kind oflock adopted must be patented and the pc
entee will be required, entering into contract max,
an eIiment Of his patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests of the
service In of the failure Of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and Conditions of hi,
contract the Postmaster anera shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned, to annu said contract and to contract 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 t oxpedent TO select
for the through malls the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that of another. He reserves therefore, the
right of contracting with different ndivduas for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party or parties will be required to give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lara for faithful Performance OF the contract The con
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper haDds the terms o.
these provisions TO be arranged betweeh the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be 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 2i--- u 94 tettof-} Postmaster General.