The republic., 1851-02-21
PROPOSALS. FOR MAIL BAGS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
DECEMBER "a, 1850

Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
DECEMBER "a, 1850.
CEALED PROPOSALS will be received at this
~ Department untl9 O'Clock a. IN of the 2lst day
Of April next for furnishing for four years from the
hrst day OF July next, in such quantities and at
such times may be required and ordered for the
mail service, Mail Bags Of the following descrip-
ton, 10 wit:
CANVASS MAIL BAGS.
Size No (43 inches in length and 81 inches in
circumference) TO be made of cotton canvass,
weighing l5 ounces to the yard Of % inches widtb
the yarn OF the fabric TO be doubled and twisted and
Size No. 2 al inches in length and 4S inches in
circumference) to be made of cotton canvass,
weighing lS ounces to the yard of 27 inches in
width, and the cloth TO be woven in every respect
like that Of the first size Of bags.
Size No (s2 inches in length and 80 inches in
circumierence) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth to
The canvass bags of sizes Nos. and are to be
made with sufficient number of eyelet- holes and
provided with strong cord to secure their mouths.
Al are to be marked inside and outside thus: ~.
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES,
Or mail bags with circular bottoms opened and
fastened at one end
Size No. !, 4s inches in length and 60 inches in
circumference.
Size No. 2, II inches in length and 4S inches in
Size No. 3. sS inches in length and ~ inches in
circumference
Size No. 4, 80 inches in length and sc inches in
Size No. s, 26 inches in length and % inches in
circumference.
The body of the leather pouches is to be made of
good and substantial bag leather, we'll tanned,
weighing for Nos. and not less than 8 ounces.
and for the smaller sizes not less than the
square foot; the bottom and flap to be of good skirt
ing leather. we'll tanned, and the seams TO be well
and strongly secured with the bestiron rivets well
timed
The canvass pouches are to be made of densely-
woven canvass, 30 to rcsist water, like the can
vass pouches now in use for the mail service.
HORSE MAIL BAGS. (IN SADDLE BAGS ronm.)
Size No. |. Body 46 inches long and 40 inches in
Size No. 2. Body ~ inches long and 36 inches in
circumference at widest parts
Size No. ,. Body AZ inches long and 80 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Ends or bottoms Of size No. /, IL by "a inches.
Do do do No. 5. 10 By b 20 do
The leather horse mail bags are to be made of
weighing not less than ounces to the square foot
and the seams to be well and strongly sewed or, If
riveted to be done neither to chafe horse nor
rider.
The canvass horse mail bags are to be made Of
the same quality Of fabric as the pouches above
described.
DROP LETTER POUCHES, with SIDE pocKEr.) }
Size rs inches in length and % inches in circum-
ference.
Proposals for improvements ts in the construction
of any of the above described mail bags, or in the
materials thereof, will be received and the relative
value and adaptation to the service, as well as
price Of such improvement. will be considered in
determining the lowest and best bidder.
0o- ALI the articles contracted for are to be de-
ivercd, at the contractors expense at Boston, Mas
sachusctts; New York and Buffalo, New York;
more, Maryland; Washington, d. c.; Charleston.
| South Carolina; Macon, Georgia; Huntsville, Ala
| bama; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennes-
see; Louisville: : Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; St.
times as the Department may require; where they
are TO be rigidly inspected, and none to be
ceived which shall be inferior in any respect to the
specimens or standard bags.
| No proposal will be considered If not accompa-
MED with samples of each article bid for. showing
the construction, quality Of materials, and work.
| manship proposed, and also with evidence of the
competency and ability ofthe bidder to execute the
| work according to contract
The specimens must be delivered at the Depart
ment ON or before the 2lst day Of April next, and
| sis of the contracts.
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond, with sufficient sureties, TO be 30 certi-
hed TO by the Postmaster Of the place where he or
they may reside in sum of money double the
amount of contract, for faithful performance OF
the obligations entered into.
having been suggested by Postmasters OF eI-
perience and others that the common canvass bags,
| FIRST above described, (of sizes Nos. and 2, }
should be made SO TO be locked, proposals and
specimens are invited for bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also Of handle at
| the mouth and at the bottom Of each bag.
For the information Of bidders in reference to the
number Of mail bags which will probably be re-
quired, the number, kinds, and sizes Of bags
manufactured for the use Of the Department during
the year. from the lst July, l549. TO the 30th June,
/ 1850, are given follows l52 No. 1, 83S No. 9,
| TIC No, 8, TAT No. 4, and 290 No. pouches; 254
No. /, 332 No. 2, and 276 No. 3 horse bags; and
6,575 No. 1, ,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common can
pass bags.
| The proposals should be endorsed Proposals
FOR Mad Bags, and be addressed to theI Postmaster
| General
N. X. HALL, Postmaster General
| Dec %