American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-27
FURNISHING MAIL LOOKS AND KEYS.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT, |
m. n re-

I
March IA 1851. .
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 pro
posa furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Once 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
on the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for addi
onal 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 tho best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop 1T is however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz; durability uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto win be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bity Of the locks and keys adopted as Wen as the in
Of the mail service; but IL 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 one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 70 make, sell, furnish any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
Theind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee viii be required ON entering into contract 10 make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive use and hem
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
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 snnul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys. ~#s .a
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may 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 such
different kinds Of locks he 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 viii be required 10 give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract. The
tract is to contain provisions for the due proper
specon 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 IL bid should be accepted
No application viii 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 "a Postmaster General.