American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-30
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

POST UFTCE DEPARTMENT.
March IA, 1851. I
being desirable substitute locks and keys of
i other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posals to furnish the same 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
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 nor 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, no kind Of lock is prescribed as standard
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop 1t Is however proper that lock 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 in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will
required be furnished by the contractor within seven
afterwards the annual supply win depend the dura-
bty of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail service; but II will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter
No lock will be considered II It he like any already in
general usc will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell, 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 to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft OF the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests
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 annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedent 10 select
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 TO reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
decu 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 con-
tract TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered " not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General