American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-03
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Poser OFpIcE nFpARTNrNT

March IL, 1851
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
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 and considered
at the Post Office Department until the hrst 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 the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
tiona term of four years. by giving the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
of four years *
price, kind of lock prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited, may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
itics viz: durability uniformity, lghness, and strength
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
biity Of the locks and keys adopted well as the in
Of the mail service; but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
general nor viii any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL furnish any
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must I've patented and the pa
entec will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to the interests 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 annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expcdent to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that of another lie reserves therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select, and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. If 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 contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection 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 IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar 81 Postmaster General.