American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-01
SHIRTS! SHIRTS /!


.s..... s.. .t. F gs.Eg.0 March a. 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas to furnish the viii 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 practicable be entered into for fur
nsng such locks and keys years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
tonn 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 H.s
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, invited may
develop 1t Is, however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz durability, uniformity, ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now In about thirty thousand
and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
bity of the locks and keys adopted, as well the in
crease Of the mail seryce but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter. ~F.t- a4-
general use; nor will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, cell, furnish any
lock key similar 70 those contracted for for other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee win be required entering into contract TO make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use and ben
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 tho penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annu said conrac and to contract with
any other party parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedent 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 be may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. IL he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performances of the contract The
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 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 u not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
#.a et $500 2. .agt st4st .ltrh3 N X. HALL,
mar a. l. b#h \ " f Postmaster General,