American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-12
SHIRTS! SHIRTS!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
posr 0YpIcE DFpApTyrNT

March Ii, 1851 I
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the win 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
nhng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General the time being
10 extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term of four years. by giving TO the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine
than six months before the termination Of the first term
Of four years.
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
partnent relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop IL Is however, proper TO state that a.ock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz durability, uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in USE about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto will
required TO 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
crease Of tho mail servce but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered II II be like any already in
general use nor will any one with whom the contract
NAV be made be allowed 10 make cell or furnish anv
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any
purpose than that of tho Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
enb IL Po5tfnuster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In of the failure Of the contractor 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 10 contract anew 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 II expedicnt select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and the
mails that of another lie reserves therefore, the
right of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds OF locks as he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
deem 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 for faithful performance of the contract The con-
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
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.