American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-21
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
pneT Opptnr nrp Iprsfr~T


March IA, 1851 !
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
i other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the win 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 soon practicable, be entered into for FUR
nsng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time beng
TO extend and continue the contract In force for nd
noos 10 q an n
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years. lsJasr .e.gga rI.a ,i ~ .ssa.s
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 skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop IL s however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the flowing quail
tiles, viz durability uniformity lightness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
and twenty thousand thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted as well as the i'm
Of the mall services but II will probably
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell, furnish any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for 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
eft Of the Departments II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests Of the
service In case of the failure of the contractor Mt any
time To fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postnster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
Toned TO annul said conrsct and 10 contract with
any other party parties he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys II 81 III ~
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t e1pedent TO select
for the through mails the lock OF bidder and for the
way mails that Of another. lie therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right reject NIL the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 70 give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract The
TO contain provisions for tho due and proper
pection Of the locks and koys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions TO be arranged between Department
the suoccssfnl bidder ~ bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the CONTRACT
.ggN. X. HALL, 81.
mar a. t Rs Postmaster General