American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-10
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IA, 1851. !
TT being desirable TO substitute locks and keys Of
L other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with pro-
pos to furnish the 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
tracts will practicable, be entered into for fur
nishing 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 ad
on term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice 10 that effect not than nine 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 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, lighness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand will be
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 as the
crease Of the mail service but II will probably never ex.
coed in amount three thousand OF the former and one
thousand of the latter.
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, furnish any
purpose or use than that of the Post ONCE Department
The kind oflock adopted must be patented and the pa
entee win be required ON entering into contract tomake
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
deem 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 remedy hereinafter men
toned 70 annul said contract and to contract with
any other paryor parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem It expcdient to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another He reserves, therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds OF locks as he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. 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 con-
tract Is to contain provisions for the due and proper
specton 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 If 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.
N X. HALL,
mar H- Postmaster General.