American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-05
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
posT OYFIcF DEPARTMENT.

| March Ia, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of SOM
| other kind for those in use for the mail servic,
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas TO furnish the sae viii be received and consdere
at the Post Office Department until the first day of july
next The different locks will be submitted to a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report,
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nishing such locks and keys years. with the RICH
the of the Postmaster General for the time being
10 extend and continue the contract in force for an add
oDa term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice 10 that effect not than less
than six months before the termination of the first term
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
artment relying for selection on the mechaneal ski
develop 1t is however proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
es viz; durability, uniformity ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In about thirty thousand
new locke and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply viii depend on the dura
ity of the locks and keys adopted, well the IN.
creae of the mail services but IL will probably
iced in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand OF the latter.
No lock will be- considered II It be like any already IN
general use; will any with whom the contract
NAV be made be allowed to make, SELL or furnish am
ock 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
tentee will be required entering into contract make
an OF his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft OF the Department. II the Postmaster General shat
such requirement. 10 the interests OF tn
service In ease of the failure of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract, the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys. .
IN deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the General may deem IL expedien to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that OF another He reserves therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and aso the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
that for the interest Of the Department
party parties contracting will be required to 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 and proper in
specion Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands; the terms
these provisions 10 be arranged between the DEPARTMENT
and the successful bidder IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of tho trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract.
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.