American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-03
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

POST UFF1CE DEPARTMENT.
March IL, 1851 !
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas furnish the same will be received and considered
at 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
nshng 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
ona term of four years. by giving TO the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
Of four years.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no kind of lock prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop II Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
es viz: durability, uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displaciDg simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand 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-
blity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail servce but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
No lock win be considered II IL be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make, SELL or furnish, any
lock or key similar those contracted for for any other
purpose or 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 make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and
eft the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential TO the interests Of
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 TO the penal remedy hereinafter men.
toned to annul said contract and to contract 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 deem It expedent To select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
mails that of another lie reserves therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals such
different kinds Of locks he may select, and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II
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 for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract Ia 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 Of
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, IL 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. X. HALL
mar "a Postmaster General.