American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-17
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I
March ID 1871

March ID, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas 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
nhng 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
tona 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
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition 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
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted 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
bility of the locks and keys adopted, well the
of the mail service; but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
No lock will be considered II it be like any already in
general use; viii any with whom the contract
may be made he allowed to make, SELL or furnish any
lock or key similar 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
entec 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
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 for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may 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 may select and also the
II
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract con-
tract is to contain provisions for the due proper in
spccon 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 IL 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.