American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-30
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IA, 1851.
TT being desirable to substitute locks keys
other kind for those in use for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and Keys with pro
posals to furnish the same 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 con
TrsS w e S o. @ De en,eea hG ior r
the part Of the Postmaster General for The time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
written notice to that effect not 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 IL prescribed standard the
paTtment relying for selection on the mcdaniel skill
develop IL Is however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
ities viz durability uniformity, lghness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and keys adapted thereto win 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-
by of the locks and keys adopted well as the in
Of the mail service; but will probably ex
coed In amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered II Il he like any already In
general use; viii 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 oflock adopted must be patented, and the pa
an assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and hem
eft Of the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement. essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor at any
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 men.
toned TO annu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party parties as he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and Keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem expcdent to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that of another He reserves, therefore tho
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds OF locks as he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals If he shall
deem that course for the interest Of the Department The
party parties win be required to give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lara for faithful performance of the contract The con-
tract to contain provisions for the due and proper
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 If bid should be accepted
No application viii be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character of
a us- N. X. HALL,
mar A- Postmaster General.