American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-25
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

Posi- OFFICE DEpARTMENT,l
... March IA, 1851. (
being desirable to substitute locks and keys OF som
other kind for those now in for the mail service
Of the United States, specimen locks and keys, with pro
posas to furnish the same viii be received and consdere,
It the Post ONCE Department until the first day of Jul,
next The different locks win be submitted TO commi
ion for examination and report. Upon this report
racts will practicable be entered into for fur
shng such locks and keys for four years. with the rgb
the part Of the Postmaster General for the time being
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 niue les
han six months before the termination OF the first tern
4 four years.
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed standard, the d.
arment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited ma,
,ble for the mail service should The following qua
ties, Wit durability uniformity lghncss and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all tn
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousan,
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
mouths after the contract shall have been entered into
ierwer1s the annual supply win depend the durn
bility of the locks and Keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service; but will probably
ICED In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand OF the latter
No lock will be considered If II be like any already IN
general use; will any with whom the contrnci
mny be made be allowed to make sell or furnish an,
lock key similar to those contracted for for any othei
purpose than that of the Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented the pa
entcc will be required entering contract TO max.
assignment OF his patent for the exclusive ben
such requirement essential 10 the interests Of III,
service In of the failure Of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of hi,
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned TO annu said contract aud to contract with
any other party parties as he may At for furnishing
smilar locks and keys. .s ~ M un ls
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem It expedent select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another. lie reserves, therefore,
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks "a he may select and also tn
right TO reject all the specimens aud proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department Tn
party parties will be required to give bond
with ample security, In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars, for faithful performance OF the contract The con
tract Il to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton Of the locks and keys, and also for guany
against their passing into improper hands; the terms oI
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
NIP44 n#H ##.# ..Ha#.A N X. HALL
mar 81 Postmaster General