American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-08
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT 0FYIcE DEPARTMENT, /
March Ii. 1881.

Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,l
March IL, 1851.
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
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 win 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
nshing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
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 the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock Is prescribed standard the Do
partent relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
tes viz: durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength.
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto will he
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura
bity of the locks and keys adopted, well the In
Of the mail service; but 1t viii probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter
No lock win be considered If II be like any already in
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, soil, furnish,
lock similar to those contracted for any other
purpose or use than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented the pn-
tentee will be required entering into contract 10 make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive ben
deem such requirement essential the interests OF the
service In Of the failure of the contractor Mt nv
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 men
toned to annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expcden 10 select
for the through mails the lock OF bidder for the
way mails that Of another. lie reserves therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party 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 to contain provisions for the due and proper
specon Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application viii be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.