American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-05
SHIRTS! SHIRTS!
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS s. KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March Ia, 1851. (
TT 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
posa to furnish the will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
The different locks will be submitted TO commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nishing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part the Postmaster General for the time being
70 extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona 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. ..
With view OF procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard, the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skin
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop II Is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz: durability uniformity hghtness and strength.
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto viii be
required 20 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
biy Of the locks and keys adopted as well as the in
coed in amount three thousand OF the former and one
thousand Of the latter
No lock win 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
tentce will be required entering into contract
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive
eft Of the Department, II the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to the interests the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor at
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned 10 annul said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks aud keys, t#. rtterf
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedient TO select
COR the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another lie reserves therefore, the
right OF contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks es he may select and also the
right reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party will DO required TO give bond,
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance of the contract. The con.
tract is contain provisions for the due and proper
specon Of the locks and keys, and alHo for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
@ttr .t@@-f - N. X HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.