American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-01
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IL, 1851. I
7 being desirable 10 substitute locks and keys Of
i other kind for those in for the mail service
" the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to 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 commis
sion for examination and report Upon this report,
tracts will soon as practicable be entered into for fur
nshing 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
ona 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 yenrs.
With view Of procuring the best lock the lowest
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed standard, the Do
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
ieyeop IL Is however proper TO state that lock suit
ibe for the mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose OF displacing simultaneously all thu
nail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto will b.
required be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the durs-
hity Of the locks and keys adopted well the
Of the mail service but il will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former
thousand Of the latter.
No lock win be considered II It be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
fnsy be made be allowed TO make sel or furnish, any
Jock key similar 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
entee will be required, entering into contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor any
time 20 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 70 annul said contract and 70 contract with
any other party OF parties as he may t for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedieu select
the through mails the lock of bidder and for The
mails that Of another He reserves therefore thu
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals ne shall
that for the interest Of the Department Th
party parties contracting win lie required 10 give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
ars for faithful performance Of the contract The con.
Is 10 contain provisions for the due and proper in
specdon Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands the terms OF
beso provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder " bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If 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.