American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-24
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March Ii, 1851.
being desirable to substitute and keys Of some
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
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 tho time being
extend and continue the contract in force for ad
tona term Of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nor less
than six months before tho termination Of the first term
Of four years.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price kind Of lock Is prescribed standard, the De
parment relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited
develop. IL vs. however proper 70 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 dispaong simultaneously all tho
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
new twenty keys adapted thereto will be
required 70 be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply viii depend the dura
bity OF the locks and keys adopted, well as the in
crease OF the mail service but will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand Of the latter
No lock will be considered If t be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, furnish any
lock or key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose or use than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the IA
entee will be required entering into contract TO make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests
service In case Of the failure the contractor al any
time 10 fulfil faithfully the and conditions OF his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 70 the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annu said contract, and 10 contract with
any other party parties he may t for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
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 for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds OF locks az he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. 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 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
thee provisions 20 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder IL bid should be accepted
No application win be considered II accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character OF
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General