The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-18

Posr OrFIcE DEPARTmE MT,
Mach IA 1851.

PosT OFFICE DkPARTnE Mt,
MAEcH IA, 1851.
TT BEING DESIRABLE to substitute locks and
i keys Of some other kind for those in Use for
the mail service Of the United States. sps cim.n
locks and keys with proposals TO furnish the same
will be received and considered at the Post Ofhce
Department until the first day Of July next The
different locks will be submitted 10 comm issicn
for examination and report. Upon this report,
contracts will. a. soon practicable, be entered
into for furnishing such locks and keys for four
years, with the right the part OF the Postmaster
General for the time being to extend and continue
the contract In force for additional term u 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
With view of procuring the beat lock at the
lowest price, no kind Of lock iarnfescribed as
standard. the Department relyingfor selection
on the mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair
competition, invited, may develop. It Is. how
ever, proper to state. that lock suitable for the
mail service should posscss the following quail
ties, viz: durability, uniformity, lightness, and
strength.
For the purpose of displacing simultaneously all
the mail locks and keys now in use. about thirty
thousand new locks and twenty thousand keys
adapted thereto will lie required to be furnished by
the contractor within seven months after the con-
tract shall have been entered into; afterwards the
annual supply will depend on the durability Of the
locks and keys adopted, as well the increase Of
the mail service; but it will probably exceed
in amount three thousand Of the former and one
thousand OF the latter.
No lock will be considered If ii 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 con-
tracted for for any other purpose than that of
Tho Post Office Department.
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented, and
The patcntce will be required on entering into con
tract, to make assignment Of his patent for the
exclusive and benefit Of the Department, If the
Postmaster General shall deem ouch reqnir cment
essential to the interests of the In of
the failure Of the contractor at any time to fulfil
faithfully the terms and conditions Of his contract
the Postmaster General shall have the right, be-
sides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter mem
with any other party parties he may see fit, for
furnishing similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens
offered the Postmaster General may deem il expe-
dent to select for the through mails the
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 as he may select and also the right to reject
all the specimens and proposals. if he shall deem
that for the interest of the Department. The
party or parties contracting will be required to
thirty thousand dollars for faithful perfqr nance
of the contract. The contract 10 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 prov-
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.
N. X. HALL. Postmaster General.
MAJ tsvr