American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-27
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March II, 1851. /
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 same 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 practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys or four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
TO extend and continue the contract in force for an add
tona term OF four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine less
than Elk months before the termination OF the first term
of four years.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock Is prescribed a standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited,
develop IL IS however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity ghtness, and strength
For the purpose OF dispacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new 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 the dura
blity Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail seryice but it will probably
coed in amount three thousand the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If Il be like any already in
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 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 on entering into contract TO make
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 the
service In Of the failure of the contractor
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and contract with
any other party parties he may it, for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent 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 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II 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 faithful performance of the contract The
tract is contain provisions for the duo and proper
specton Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
aqains their passing into improper hands; the of
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar 3D. Postmaster General