The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-19
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OrFIcE DEPARTMKsT,
M.pcn II Hal

Posr OrFIcE DEPARrMxsT,
MARcH IL, 1851
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
keys of some other kind Tor those now In use Tor
the mail service Of the United States. specimen
locks and keys, with proposals TO furnish the same,
will be received and considered at the Post Office
Departn ent until the frat day Of July next The
different locks will be submitted a commission
for examination and report Upon this report,
contracts will, ms soon practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right on the part OF the Postmnster
General for the time being 10 extend and continue
the contract in force for additional Of four
years, by giving to the contractor written notice
to that effect, not more than nine less than ak
months before the termination of the frat term OF
four years.
With view of procuring the beat lock at the
lowest price, no kind of lock ia prescribed
standard, the Department relying for a selec ZION
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, now invited, may develop. IL lie. how
ever, proper TO state. that lock suitable for the
ties. viz durability, uniformity, lightness, and
strength.
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use. about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will be required be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend the durability Of tho
locks and keys adopted as we'll as the increase of
the mail service; but it will probably never exceed
in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand oil the latter.
No lock will be considered if it be like any al
ready in general use; nor will any one with whom
the contract may be made be allowed to make sell,
or furnish any lock or key similar to those COR
racted for for any other purpose than that of
the Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
the patentec will be required, entering into con
tract, to ma Ike assignment of his patent for tho
exclusive and benefit Of the Department, If the
Postmaster General shall deem such requirement.
essential to the interests of the service In OF
the failure OF the contractor ut any time To fulfil
faithfully the terIns and conditions Of his contract.
sides a resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men,
toned, toannul safd contract and to contract anew
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 il expo
dent select for the through mails 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 he may select and also the right TO reject
all the specimens and proposals. if he shall deem
party parties contracting will be required to
give bond, with ample security, in the sum of
thirty thousand dollars, for faithful performance
Of the contract. The contract il to contain provi-
sons for the due and proper inspection Of the locks
and keys, and also for guarding against their pass
ing into improper hands, the terms of these provi-
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.
NIX. HALL, Postmaster General.
Mar I7-lawtyI