American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-10
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT. \
I

March Ia, 1851. /
being desirable to substitute locks keys Of some
other kind for those in for the mail servic,
Il the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the will be received and considered
1t the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
uext Theydiferent locks will be submitted
ion for examination and report Upon this report con-
WILL practicable be entered into
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
tona term of four years. by giving the contractor
written notice to that effect than nine
than six 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 standard the
oarmcnt relying for selection on the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
eyelop 1t is however proper to state that lock suit
be for the mail service should possess the following quail
ties viz: durability, uniformity, ghtncss and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locke and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura-
hty Of the locks and keys adopted well the in.
of the mail service but IL will probably
seed IN amount three thousand of the former one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If IT be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish any
lock similar 10 those contracted for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft OF the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO interests of the
service. In of the failure Of the contractor at any
time to fulhl 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 TO with
other party or parties as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedient select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder for the
way mails that Of another He therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals for
different kinds OF locks he may select and also the
right TO 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, for thful performance Of the contract The con.
tract II TO contain provisions for the due proper in.
specon Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms OF
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar 2l- Postmaster General