American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-13
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PoST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,
March Ia 1851

March IA, 1851.
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-
posas 10 furnish the will be received and considered
next The different locks viii be submitted TO a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report, con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nishing 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 20 the contractor
written notice 10 that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years.
price, kind OF lock Is prescribed Standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited, may
develop H. however proper 70 state that lock SUIT
able for the mail ser, ice should possess the following quail
tiles, viz durability, uniformity lghtness and strength.
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now In use, about thirty thousand
now Locke and twenty thousand thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bility Of the locks and keys adopted az well as the in
Of the mail service but Il will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 20 make, sell, furnish any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any otbor
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee will be required entering into contract 10 make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and bon
eft Of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential 10 the interests the
service In case Of the failure Of the contractor nj any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of hs
contract the Postmaster General shal have the right
besides resort 70 "a. penal remedy hereinafter
toned 10 annul said contract and 20 contract with
any other party parties he may Ct for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expcdicnt 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds uf locks as lac may select and also tho
right ~ reject all the specimens and proposals. " hc shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will he requirs 10 give bond,
with ample security, In uis Of thirty thousand dol.
lars for n faithful performance Of the contract The
tract is 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 10 lie arranged between the Department
aud the successful bidder, II bid should h. accepted
No application viii he considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence OF the Trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability TO ulnl the contract
N. X. HALL
mar 81 Postmaster General.