The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-25

TT BEING DESIRABLE TO substitute locks and
il keys of other kind for those now In use for
the mail service OF the United States, specimen
will be received and considered at the Post Ofhce
Department until the first day of July next. The
different locks will be submitted to acoumission
% Is s
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right on the part Of the Postmaster
the contract in force for an additional term q four
years, by giving to the contractor written notice
to that effect not more than nine less than six
months before the termination Of the frat term Of
with view Of procuring the best lock At the
lowest price, no kind Of lock is prescribed a. =
standard, the Department relying for 3 SELECTION
competition, now invited, may develop. IL %. how
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should possess the following quail
ties, viz durability, uniformity, iightness, and
strength 4, 49, NV , Y
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now In use, about thirty
adapted theretowil be required to be furnished BY
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; atcrwards the
annual supply will depend on the durah Of the
the mail service; but it viii probably never exceed
in amount three thousand Of the former and one
No lock viii be considered if it be like any al
ready in general use; nor will anyone with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make, sell.
or furnish any lock or key similar to those con-
tracted for for any other purpose thanthdt Of
the Post Office Department. -
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentee will be required on entering into con-
tract, to make assignment of his patent for the
exclusive use and benefit of the Department, the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement
essential to the interests of the service In of
the failure Of the contractor at any time TO fuidl
faithfully the terms and conditions Of his contract.
the Postmaster General shall have the right, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned, to annulsaid contract and 70 contract anew
with any other party parties he may At. for
furnishing similar locks and keys. ~ rr MA 49,
/ In deciding upon the proposals. and specimens
dent to select for the through malls the lock Of
reserves, therefore, the right of contrscting with
different individuals for such different kinds of
locks he may select, and also the right to reject
all the specimens and proposals., if he shall deem
that course for the interest of the Department. The
party or parties contracting will be required 70
give bond, with ample security, in the sum OF
thirty thousand dollars for faithful performance
of the contract. Tho contract Is TO contain provi
sons for the due and proper inspection of the looks
and keys and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands; the terms Of these psovi
sions to be arranged between the Department and
the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered If not accom-
panied with satisfactory evidence of the trustwor
thy character Of the bidder and OF his ability to
fulfil the contract. y
NIX. HALL, Postmaster General.
Mar H--lawtjyl 9i7s