American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-19
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
1 q


March Ia 1851.
TT being desirable to substitute locks keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas 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 a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts will soon practicable, be entered into for fur
nishng 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
tonal 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.
price, no 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 the following quail
tiles viz: durability uniformity lightness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bty of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
crease Of the mail service but it will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell or furnish any
lock key similar 10 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
tenee viii be required entering into contract to make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential the interests 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 to the penal remedy hereinafter men,
toned TO annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem it expedent 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 he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party will be required TO give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract The
tract TO contain provisions for the due and proper
spcction OF the locks and keyR and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
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 the contract
~ X. HALL,
2i-- Postmaster General.