American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-08
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT, !

e March IL, 1851. ! !.
TT being desirable 10 substitute locks and keys
i other kind for those now in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys, with pro-
posas to furnish the same will be received considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks viii be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nishng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for an add
onal term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
With view OF procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock Is prescribed Standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skin
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 lghtness and strength.
For the purpose Of displscing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
new locks 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 on the dura
bity Of the locks and keys adopted az well as the in
Of the mail service but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock win be considered II Il be like any already In
general use; nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make SELL or furnish, any
lock key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that OF the Post Office Department
Thekind flock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee will be required on entering into contract TO make
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 any
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right,
besides resort 10 the penal romedy hereinafter men
toned anul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expcdent 10 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 he may select, and also the
right reject oil the specimens and proposals II 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
specon Of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will DO considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar IT. Postmaster General.