The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-03
PROPOSALS FoR MAIL BAGS.
Posr OFFIcs DEpAarnEsr,
DECEMBER "a, 1850.

Il
Posr OFFlcs DErAnrmEsr,
DEcsNsER "a, 1850.
CEALED PROPOSALS will be received at this
- Department until O'Clock q. m. Of the 2Ist day
Of April next for furnishing for four years from the
hrst day Of July next, In such quantities and at
such times as may be required and ordered for the
mail service, Mail Bags Of the following descrip-
CANVASS MAIL BAGS.
Size No / (43 inches in length and g. inches in
circumference)' to be made OF cotton canvass,
weighing s ounces to the yard Of ~ inches width
the yarn Of the fabric TO be doubled and wistod and
five fold.
Size No. al inches In length and 4S inches in
circumference) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing is ounces to the yard OF T inches in
width, and the cloth 10 be woven in every respect
like that Of the first size of bags.
Size No. 8 (32 inches in length and 3S inches in
circumference) to be made Of cotton canvass,
weighing 10 ounces to the yard, and the cloth to
be woven above described.
The canvass bags Of sizes Nos and are TO be
made with sufficient number Of eyeot-h holes, and
provided with strong cord to secure their mouths.
All are TO be markedinside and outside thus: 'U.
s. MAIL"
LEATHER AND CANVASS POUCHES.
Or mail bags with circular bottoms, opened and
fastened at one end:
Size No. l. 4s inches in length and 60 inches in
circumference.
Size No. 2, Al inches in length and 4s inches in
Size No. 3. a6 inches in length and 42 inches in
circumference.
Size No. 4, 80 inches in length and Sc inches in
circumference.
Size No. s, 26 inches in length and % inches in
circumference.
The body Of the leather pouches is to be made of
good and substantial bag leather. well tanned,
weighing for Nos. and not less than ounces,
and for the smaller sizes not less than ounces the
square foot; the bottom and flap TO be Of good akir
ing leather, well tanned, and the seams to be well
and strongly secured with the bestiron rivets well
timed.
The canvass pouches are to be made Of densely-
woven canvass, so az 10 resist water, like the
vass pouches now in use for the mail service.
HORSE MAIL BAGS, (IN sADDLz-sAas FoRm.)
Size No. I. Body 46 inches long and 40 inchesin
circumference at widest parts.
Size No. 2. Body A inches long and 36 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Size No 3. Body 42 inches long and 30 inches in
circumference at widest parts.
Ends or bottoms of size No. l, l2 by "a inches.
Do do do No. 8. 10 by 20 do
The leather horse mail bags are to be made OF
good aud substantial bag leather, we'll tanned,
and the seams to be well and strongly sewed or, if
rvcted to be 80 done as neither to chafe horse nor
rider.
The canvass horse mail bags are to be made of
the same quality Of fabric as the pouches above
described.
DROP LETTER POUCHES, with SIDE rocxEr.)
Size Is inches in length and % inchcsi in circum-
ference.
| Proposals for improvements in the construction
of any of the above described mail bags, or in the
materials thereof will be received; and the relative
value and adaptation to the service, as well as
| price Of such improvement, will be considered in
| determining the lowest and best bidder.
1- All the articles contracted for are to be de-
Iivered at the contractors expense, at Boston, Mas
| sachusetts; Now York and Buffalo, New York;
Phiadelphia and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Balti-
more, Maryland; Washington, D.. c.; Charleston,
bama; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennes-
see; Louisville, Kentuckys Cincinnati, Ohio; st
Louis, Missouri, in such proportions and at suct
are to be rigidly inspected and none are TO be re
ceived which shall be inferior in any respect to thu
! specimens or standard bags.
| No proposal will be considered If not accompa-
MED with samples of each article bid for. showing
the construction, quality of materials, and work
manship proposed, and also with evidence OF the
competency and ability ofthe bidder TO execute the
| work according to contract.
| The specimens must be delivered at the Depart
ment ON or before the 2lst day Of April next, and
WILL in connexion with the proposals, form the ba-
| sis of the contracts.
The bidder or bidders chosen will be required to
give bond, with sufficient sureies, Ito be 30 certi-
fed to by the Postmaster Of the place where he or
they may reside,) in sum OF money double the
amount Of contract for q faithful performance ol
| the obligations entered into.
| II having been suggested by Postmasters OF cx-
perience and others that the common canvass bags,
frst above described, (of sizes Nos. and %
| should be made 30 as to bo locked, proposals and
specimens invited for canvass bags constructed
accordingly, with the addition also Of handle at
the mouth and at the bottom Of each bag.
For the information of bidders in reference to the
number of mail bags which will probably be ro-
quired, the number. kinds, and sizes OF bags
manufactured for the use OF the Department during
the year, from the let July, e49 to the goth June
1850, are given as follows; l52 No /, eSo No. 2.
IT'S No. 3, TAT No. 4, and 290 No. pouches; 254
No. i. 1872 No. 2, and 276 No. horse bags; and
6,575 No. !, l,525 No. 2, and 274 No. common can
eoss bags.
| The proposals should be endorsed: " Proposals.
for Ma Bags !" and be addressed to thel Postmoste'
| General.
| N. X. HALL, Postmaster General.