The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-19

Posr OFFIcE DEPARTMENT,
MARCH IA, 1851, 81

Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,
p MARCH IA, 1851, 9,s
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute LOCKS and
j. keys of some other kind for those in use for,
locks and keys, with proposals to furnish the same,
will be received and considered at the Post Office
Department until the first day of July next The
different locke will be submitted to . commission
contracts will, as soon as practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right the part Of the Posmaster
General for the time being 70 extend and continue
the contract in force for additional term OF four
years. by giving to the contractor written notice
TO that effect, not more than nine less than ak
months before the termination Of the first term OF
2 With view of procuring the best lock at the
lowest price, no kind of lock il prescribed a. q
standard, the Department relying for q selection
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following Quali-
ties, viz durability, uniformity, lghtness, and
strength. f,,s ~ M .
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required to be furnished BY
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; Afterwards the
annual supply will depend on the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted, we'll as the increase of
the mail service; but it will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand of the latter
No lock will be considered if it be like any al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make, sell,
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con.
tractcd for for any other purpose than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patcntee will be required, entering into con-
tract, TO make assignment of his patent for the
exclusive use and benefit of the Department, If the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
tSs1 - ,koroa aft IF
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, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men,
toned, oannul said contract, and to contract ancw
with any other party parties he may fit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered, the Postmaster General may deem il expo
dient to select for the through mails the lock Of
bidder, and for the way mails that of another. He
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. If he shall deem
that course for the interest of the Department. The
party or parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security, in the sum OF
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
Of the contract The contract is to contain proyi-
sons for tho due and proper inspection of the locks
ing into improper hands the terms Of those provi
sions to be arranged between the Department and
the successful bidder If bid should be accepted.
4 No application will be considered if not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence Of the trustwor-
thy character Of the bidder. and Of bis ability 10
fulfil the contract. 1890
( N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.
I Mar 17--1awtjy1 j -.
ID II. HOOE a co., Wholesale and retail deal.
II ers in Carpetipr, Floor Oil Cloths, Mattings,
Rugs, Curtain Materials, Shooting, Blankets, and
house furnishing goods generally.
Pennsylvania avenue, betwecn7th and Sthstreets,
Washington, D. C..
Aug 20-tf tUnion,l