American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-13
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

PoST OFFICE DEpARTMENT,1
March IA, 1851.
TT being desirable to substitute locks keys of
L other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas furnish the same win be received and considered
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
ushng 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
tiona of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first term
Of four years 41 .I1. ,e
price, kind of lock Is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t s however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into;
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura,
bty Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
of the mail service; but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter. 4H#t
No lock will be considered II IT be like any already in
general use; viii any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL furnish, any
lock key similar to those contracted for any
purpose OF than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the pa
will be required, entering contract
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of tn.
service. In of the failure Of the contractor at any
time 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 annu said contract and to contract With
any other party parties as he may At for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem IL expcden select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way malls that of another He reserves therefore, the
right OF contracting with different indvduals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and aso the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security, In the Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract The con.
tract to contain provisions for the due and proper
specton of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms OF
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil tho contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General