American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-01
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
M1yrb Ia 1871

.# March IA, 1851. (
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
II the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas to furnish the same win be received and considered
1T the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks win be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General the time being
20 extend and the contract in force for an add
ona term of four years, by giving the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less
han six months before the termination of the first
II four years. e.
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
prce kind of lock is prescribed standard the
partment relying for a selection the mechanical skill
md ingenuity which fair competition invited MAY
develop 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
ties viz durability uniformity Ightness and strength
For the purpose of dispacing simultaneously all tn,
oail locks and Keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will H.
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bility of the locks and keys adopted, well the
Of the mail service but 1t will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
No lock will be considered IL II be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish any
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must he patented p
entee will he required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusveuse
eft Of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
service Of the failure of tho contractor Mt 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 and 70 contract anew with
any other party parties be may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys. lE1 1a9It e-Ha
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem it expedent to select
for 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 as he may select and also the
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 lie to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specon Of the locks and keys, also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, 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
Ir N. X. HALL,
mar a. Nt Postmaster General.