American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-03
SHIRTS! SHIRTS +!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March a. 1851. I
being desirable TO substitute locks keys
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States, specimen locks and keys with
posas 10 furnish the will he received and considered
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 rs practicable, be entered into for fur
nshng such locks keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
tona term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not 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
aud ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
cvelop II L. however, proper 20 state that lock suit
be for the mail service should possess the following quail
ties viz durability uniformity lhness, and strength
For the purpose Of displaciug simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto will b.
required he furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
biity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service; but II will probably
ceed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered II Il he like any already In
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, 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 pa
entce will be required entering into contract to make
assignment OF his patent for the exclusive ben
rht Of the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
I
service. In of the failure Of the
time 10 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract, the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 70 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annul said contract and 20 contract with
any other party parties az he may h for furnishing
I similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedient to select
for the through maa the lock Of one bidder and for tho
way mails that Of another lie reserves therefore the
right Of contracting with different individuals such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right b reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will he required 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 proper in
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered if not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability 10 fulfil the contract
N. X HALL.
mar 81 Postmaster General.