The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-26

Posr OvrIcs DsPARTMEHTs
MApcH IL 1851.

Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT
MARcH IA, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
Il keys of some other kind for thosc in use for
the mail service of the United States. specimen
locks and keys with proposals to furnish the same
will be received and considered at the Post Omce
Depsrtn ent until the first day OF July next. The
different locks will be submitted to commission
for examination and report Upon this report.
contracts WILL as soon as practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys Tor Tour
years. with the right the part Of the Postmaster
General for the time being to extend and continue
the contract in force for additional term OF four
years. by giving to the contractor written motto Q
to that effect, not than nine less than ak
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 is prescribed As q
standard, the Department relying for sclcc lion
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, invited, may develop. II is. how
ever proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz: durability, uniformity, lghtness, and
| strength.
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty
thousand locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will tc required to be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend on the durability OF the
the mail service; but it will probably exceed
in amount three thousand of the former and one
thoueand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If it be like any al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make, cell,
or furnish any lock key similar TO those con-
tractcd for for any other purpose than that OF
The Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentee will he required. entering into con
tract, to ina Ike Assignment of his patent for the
exclusive and benefit of the Department, II the
Postmaster General shall dccuf such requirement
esseDtia to the interests Of the service In OF
tpSaiailure Of the contractor at any time to fulhl
faithfully the terms and conditions of his contract.
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned, to annu said contract, and to contract anew
with any other party parties he may sec it, for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
in deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered the Postmaster General may deem it expo
dent 10 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
all the specimens and proposals. if he shall deem
that course for the interest of the Department. The
party or parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security, in the sum OF
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
OF the contract The contract is to contain provi-
sons for the due and proper inspection Of the locks
and keys. and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms of these provi-
sions to be arranged between the Department and
No application will be considered if not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence of the trustwor-
thy character Of the bidder, and Of his ability to
fulfil the contract.
NIX HALL, Postmaster General
Mar 17-lawGyl