American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-14
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


March II, 1851 I
being desirable substitute locks 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 same will be received 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 the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
tonal term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
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 De
and ingenuity which far competition, now invited, may
develop II is, however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
ites viz durability uniformity lghtncss and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
and twenty thousand thereto will
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
Of the mail service; but it will probably ex-
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If IL be like any already In
general use; nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell or 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 entering into contract
assignment of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
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
toned to annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expcdent TO select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and the
way mails that Of another He reserves therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals for such
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 faithful performance Of the contract The con.
tract TO contain provisions for the due and proper
spection of the locks and keys, aud also guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms of
these provisions to be arranged between tho Depas mt
and the successful bidder If bid should b. accepted
No application will be considered If accompnnic
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and of his ability 10 fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar A- Postmaster General.