American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-01
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
M1rcl Ia 1871

March Ia, 1851.
TT 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-
posas to furnish the same 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 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
ona term Of four years oy giving 70 the contractor
than six months before the termination Of the first term
Of four years.
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited, may
develop 1t s however, TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
tes viz durability, uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto viii 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-
by OF the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
crease Of the mail service but IL will probably ex-
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
| thousand Of the latter.
general use; will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make sell or 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 pa
tenee will be required entering into contract make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential 10 the interests Of the
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 10 contract anew with
any other party parties as he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expcdient 10 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 for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. 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 performances Of tho contract The
tract is 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
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II 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