American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-30
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


March IA, 1851.
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas TO furnish the will be received and considered
ut the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report,
tracts wi practicable be entered into for fur
nshpg 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
onsl 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
Of four years.
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t Is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail services but IL will probably never
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If It be like any already in
general use; nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make cell 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
tentce will be reqnired entering contract
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
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 to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and with
any other party parties as he may At for furnishing
similar locks aud keys. E-rs
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and the
way mails that of another He therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. IL he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department
party parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security, in the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The
tract Is to contain provisions for the due and proper
specton of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms of
these provisions TO be arranged between 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 Of
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract.
N. X. HALL,
mar 24-- #4sa# Postmaster General.