American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-26
SHIRTS! SHIRTS /!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS s. KEYS.

March IL, 1851. I
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 pro-
posas 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
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
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 nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years
price, kind of lock Is prescribed standard the De
parment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop. IL is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity ghtnes and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will be
required to be furnished by tho contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
blity of the locks and keys adopted as well the in
of the mail Service but it will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter
No lock will be considered If it be like any already in
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 for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use and ben
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms aud 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 MS he may fit for furnishing
similar locks aud keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL cxpcdcnt to 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 nc may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
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 The CON
tract IL 10 contain provisions for the due and proper
spection of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions to be arranged between tho Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N X. HALL,
mar Pr Postmaster General.