American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-17
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT oFYIcE DEPARTMENT,

March A. 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-
posals to furnish the 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
to extend and continue the contract in force for an add
tiona term of four years. by giving TO the contractor
written notice TO that effect, not more 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 De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop. 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In about thirty thousand
locks 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 will depend the dura
blity 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.
No lock will be considered If II be like any already in
general use; will any one 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 make
assignment Of his patent for tho exclusive and ben
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 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may At for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedien 10 select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another He therefore, the
right contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks as he may select and also the
right To reject all the specimens and proposals. fhe shall
deem that course 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 for faithful performance of the contract. The
tract to contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection 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 will be considered if not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract.
N. X HALL
mar 2l- Postmaster General