American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-16
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
posT nrpJcr nppIpTNfrNT
PoST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Ho..rL II 1Ek1 4

March Ia, 1851.
being desirable to 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-
poss 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 con-
tracts WILL soon as 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 an add
onal Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
of four years.
price, kind Of lock is prescribed Standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz: durability uniformity, lighness, 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 be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
blity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease of the mail service: but will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter
No lock will be considered If It be like any already in
general nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, cell furnish, any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose or use than that of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee will be required on entering into contract to make
an assignment of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft Of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In of the failure Of the contractor at
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 and to contract with
any other party parties he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lilo reserves therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right 20 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties will be required TO give bond
with ample security, in the sum of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract is 10 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 II 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.