American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-15
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March il, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those now in use 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 first day Of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks andkeys 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
ona 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
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection 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 possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength.
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously oil the
mail locks and keys in USE about thirty thousand
new locks 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-
bty of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease Of the mail service but 1t viii probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
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 any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented the pa
tence will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department If 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 n for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem IL expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock of bidder 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 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security, in the OF thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The con-
tract Is 10 contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions 10 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 of
the bidder, and of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.