Daily American telegraph., 1851-12-26
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT, |


March a. 1851.
TT being desirable to substitute locks keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posa to furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
tracts will as soon as practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four with the right
on the part of the Postmaster for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for ad
ona term of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine nor less
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years. @s+
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 skin
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited, may
develop II is however proper 70 state that lock suit
tiles viz: durability, uniformity lighness, and strength.
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
newocks and twenty thousand thereto win be
required be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bility of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease of the mail services but il will probably never ex
ceed in amount three thousand of tho former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered If 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 than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests Of the
service In case OF the failure OF the contractor ut any
time fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of hfs
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annul said contract and to contract anew with
other party parties as he may see m for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon tho proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t 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 for
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. he shall
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 due and proper
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and tho successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
a. Postmaster General.