American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-04
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,


March II. 1851.
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of
other kind for those in for the mail seryic
II the United States, specimen locks and keys, with pro
osas to furnish the will be received and considered
next The different locks win be submitted to commits
ion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
lshng such locks and keys for four years with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
onal term Of four years by giving TO the contractor
written notice to that effect nine nor
than six months before the termination of the first tern
With view Of procuring the best lock Mt the lowes
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De
oartnent relying for selection ON the mechanical skill
und ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
eveop 1t Is however proper TO state that lock suit
abe for the mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz: durability uniformity, lighncss, and strength
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in usc, about thirty thousand
acw locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
months AFTER the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply viii depend the dura
blty of the locks and keys adopted, well as the ~
Of the mail services but it will probably c.
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
No lock will be considered II II be like any already in
general use nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make sell or furnish abv
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any Other
purpose use 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 use and
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
service. In of the ilure of the 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 men.
toned to annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys. s9 siH ftf s.#.4
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
Tho Postmaster General deem il expedent select
for the through mais the lock OF bidder for tho
way mails that of another. He therefore thu
right of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right 70 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department
party parties contracting will be required 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
specon Of the locks and keys, and also guarding
against their passing into improper hands; r OF
these provisions be arranged between the Department
md the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character OF
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract
a.9sQe N. X. HALL
mar 2- 4bsANHss'I Postmaster General.