American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-08
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


March II, 1851.
TT being desirable substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys, with
posals to furnish the 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
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nishine such locks and keys for four years with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General 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 nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years.
price, kind OF lock is prescribed standard, the De
pnrtment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop Is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
tiles, viz: durability uniformity ghtness and strength
mail locks and keys now in USE about thirty thousand
new locke and twenty thousand keys thereto will 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-
bty Of the locks and keys adopted well as the in
crease Of the mail service but it will probably never
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 or furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
eft the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the Of the
service In of the failure of the contractor
time 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 as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
the Postmaster General deem IL expedient 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 TO reject all the specimens and proposals. II 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 faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract 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
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application viii be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X HALL,
mar 81 Postmaster General.