Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-15
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March ID, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks anc
keys of some other kind for those now in tor the
mail service of the United States, specimen locks anc
keys With proposals oiurnsh The same, will be received
and considered at the Post Office Department until the
first day Of July next. The different locks will be sub
mitted to commission for examination and report
Upon this report contracts will as soon as practicable
be entered into for furnishing such locks and keys fo
four years, with the right the part OF the Postmaster
General for the time being to extend and continue the
contract in force for additional 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 procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind oflock prescribed standard; the De-
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited
may develop 1t is, however, proper to state, that
lock suitable for the mail service should possess the fol-
lowing quaes,viz. durability uniformity, lightness
| and strength.
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto
will be required to be furnished by the contractor with
in months after the contract shall have been en-
tered into afterwards the annual supply will depend
on the durability OF the locks and keys adopted, as
well tine increase OF the mail servce but will pro-
baby exceed in amount three thousand of the for
mer and one thousand OF the latter zs..z=s.
No lock will be considered if it be like any already
in general use; nor will any one with whom the con-
tract may be made be allowed to make, sell, or furnish
lock key similar to those contracted Tor for any
OLneT purpose Vi USE tudt OF t0 DEL OUc0 D6-
partnent.
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and the
paentee will be required, on entering into contract
make assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use
and benefit ofhe Department. if the Postmaster General
shall deem such requirement essential to the interests
the service In of the ia ure 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 herein
after mentioned to annul said contract and contract
with any .oher party or parties as he may see
fit, for furnishing similar locks and keys.
10 deciding upon the proposals and specimens Of
iered the Postmaster General may deem it expedient
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 nd-
vduas for such different kinds OF locks he may
lect, and also the right reject all the specimens and
proposals. if he shall deem that course for the interest
Of the Department The party or parties contracting
will be required to give bond, with ample security, in
the sum of thirty thousand dollars for faithful perfor-
nance of the contract. The contract is to contain
provisions for the due and proper inspection fthe locks
and keys and Also guarding against their passing into
improper hands; the terms ofhese provisions TO be
ranged between the Department and the successful bid
der, if bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered ifnot accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character
of the bidder, and ofhis ability to fulfil the contract
~ X. HALL, Postmaster General
NH 2l-lawtlJy