American telegraph., 1851-05-24
SHIRTS! SHIRTS!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IA, 1851. (
being desirable to substitute locks and keys
/ other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United Sates specimen locks and keys, with pro-
poas to furnish the same, will 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-
WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nshing 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
onal term of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice that effect than nine 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, kind of lock is prescribed Standard the De-
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited may
develop 1t Is however, proper 10 state that lock SUIT
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability uniformity ightness and strength
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
new and twenty thousand thereto will be
required be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
Afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
blity of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
ceed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II IL be like any already in
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, se furnish, any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The Kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the
tentee will be required ON entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and
of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service of the failure Of the contractor any
time 70 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 20 annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may f for furnishing
similar locks aud keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General deem II expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock bidder and for the
way mails that of another lie reserves, therefore, the
right Of contracting with different indivi for such
different kinds OF locks es he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. IL he shall
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
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands the
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder IL 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
! ~ X. HALL,
mar 24-- Postmaster General.