American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-16
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.


March II, 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-
poss to furnish the viii 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 years. with the right
the part the Postmaster General for the time being
10 extend and continue the contract in force for an add
cnal 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 De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop Ii Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess following quail
ties viz: durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new and twenty thousand adapted thereto will be
required TO furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into;
afterwards the annual supply win depend the dura-
by Of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
Of the mail service; but II will probably never
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II II he like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allow ed to make sc furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the
tcnee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests the
service In of the failure of the contractor ut any
time 20 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 snnul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties as he may see M for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem Il expedent to 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 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party parties 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
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, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II 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.