The republic., 1851-01-30
PROPOSALS FoR MAIL BAGS.

PROPOSALS For MAIL BAGS.
Posr OrrIcx DspAarmEsr,
DEcEMBER "a, 1850.
SEALED PROPOSALS will be received at this
~ Department until o'clock a. IN. of the 2ist day
of April nexo for furnishing for four years from the
nrst Day OF July next, in such quantities and at
such times as may be required and ordered for the
mail service, Mail Bags Of the following descrip
ton, 10 witt
CANVASS MAIL BAGS.
Size No (43 inches in length and 62 inches in
circumfcrencc) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard of % inches width;
the yarn of the fabric to be doubled and twisted and
five fold
Size No. 2 (4l inches in length and 4s inches in
circumference) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing l5 ounces to the yard OF ~ inches in
width, and the cloth % be woven in every respect
like that of the first size of bags.
X Size No. CSC inches in length and 80 inches in
ecircumfcrencc) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth to
be woven as above described.
The canvass bags of sizes Nos. and are to be
made with sufficient number Of eyelet- holes, and
provided with strong cord to secure their moutbs
All are to be marked inside and outside thus: "U
S. MAIL"
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES,
Or mail bags with circular bottoms, opened an
fastened at one end
Size No. l, 4s inches in length and 60 inches in
Size No 2, Al inches in length and 4s inches in
circumference.
Size No. 8, s6 inches in length and AZ inches in
circumference
Size No 4, 30 inches in length and &c inches in
circumference.
Size No 5, 26 inches in length and 2s inches in
circumference.
good and substantial bag leather, well tanned,
weighing for Nos. l and not less than 8 ounces
and for the smaller sizes not less than the
square foot; the bottom and flap to be good skirt
rtaafh fhcr tavr ~ l,
and strongly secured with the beet iron rvets we'll
timed
The canvass pouches are to be made of densey-
woven canvass, to resist water, like the can
vass pouches now in use for the mail service.
HORSE MAIL BAGS, (Is sAppLr-BAas roRm)
Size No. l. Body 46 inches long and 40 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 2. Body ~ inches long and 36 inches in
circumference al widest parts.
Size No. 3. Body AZ inches long and 32 inches in
circumference Mt widest parts.
Ends or bottoms of size No. l, IL by "a inches.
Do Do do DO DO No. No. 8 10 y Syy % % DO do
The leather horse mail bags are to be made Of
weighing not less than to the square foot,
and the seams to be well and strongly sewed or if
riveted to be done neither to chafe horse nor
rider.
The canvass horse mail bags are to be made of
the same quality Of fabric as the pouches above
described.
DROP LETTER POUCHES, with SIDE rocKEr.)
Size 26 inches in length and 2S inches in circum-
ference
Proposals for improvements in the construction
of any of the above described mail bags, or in the
materials thereof, will be received; and the relative
value and adaptation to the service, well
price Of such Improvement, will be considered in
determining the lowest and best bidder.
Or All the articles contracted for to be de-
lvered, at the contractor expense, at Boston, Mas
snchusetts; New York and Buffalo, New York;
more, Maryland; Washington, d. c.; Charleston,
South Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Huntsville, Ala
bama; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennes-
see; Louisville, Kentucky;. Cincinnati, Ohio; st.
times as the Department may require; where they
to be rigidly inspected and none are to be re-
ceved which shall be inferior in any respect to the
specimens or standard bags.
No proposal will be considered if not accompa-
MED with samples of each article bid for, showing
the construction. quality of materials, and work.
manship proposed, and also with evidence of the
competency and ability ofthe bidder to the
work according to contract.
The specimens must be delivered at the Depart
ment ON before the 2lst day of April next, and
will, in connexion with the proposals, form the ba
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond, with sufficient sureies, Ito be 80 certi
hed to by the Postmaster OF the plnce where he or
they may reside,) in a sum of money do1ble the
amount of contract, for faithful performance of
the obligations entered into.
it having been suggested by Postmasters of ex-
perience and others that the common canvass bags,
first above described, (of sizes Nos. and %
should be made SO TO be locked, proposals. and
specimens are invited for canvass bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also of handle at
the mouth and at the bottom of each bag.
For the information of bidders in reference to the
number of mail bags which will probably be re-
quired, the number, kinds and sizes of bags
manufactured for the use of the Department during
the year, from the lat July, lS49 to the 30h June
1870. n fullOwa. l5l No Il. S3S No. 2
TIC No. 8, TAT No. 4, and 800 No. s pouchSs; 254
No. l, 332 No. 2, and 276 No. horse bags; and
6,575 No. l. ,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common can
pass bags.
The proposals should be endorsed :. +" Pr0posais
for Mail Bags" and be addressed to the Postmaster
General.
~ X. HALL Postmaster General
Dec %