American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-21
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

March IL, 1851 I
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posals 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 a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL as soon as practicable be entered into for fur
nhng such locks and keys for four years. with this right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being,
10 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
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, now 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 displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
by Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease of the mail service; but will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter
No lock will beeonsdered II It be 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 any other
purpose or than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented the pa
tcnee viii be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
il
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of
service In of the failure Of the contractor any
time 10 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 to annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem It expedient 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 such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and also the
right to reject all 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 to contain provisions for the and proper in
spection 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 If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster. General.