American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-29
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IA, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those now in use for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas furnish the same will be received and considered
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 soon as practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
tona term Of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not more than nine nor
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
develop IL is however, proper to state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability uniformity, lighness and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in USE about thirty thousand
new and thereto Will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply viii depend the durs
by Of the locks and keys adopted as well the in
crease Of the mail service; but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
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 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 the pa
tenee viii be on into contract to make
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of HIS
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned TO annu said contract and to contract with
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 1t 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 az he may select, and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
that for the interest of the Department The
party parties will be required TO give bond
with ample security, in the of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance of the contract. The
tract contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands; the terms
these provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application win be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. k. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.