American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-14
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

lost OFFlCE DEPARTMENT.
March IA, 1851. (
being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro
posas furnish the same will be received considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks viii be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nhng such locks and keys for four with the right
the part Of the Postmaster General for the time being
extend and continue the contract In force for add
tona 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.
With view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited, may
develop. Is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tes viz durability, uniformity, ghtncss, and strength
For the purpose Of dspacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura
Of the mail services but IL will probably ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
No lock viii be considered II 1t 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
tenee will be required entering into make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use and
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 Mt any
time 10 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of bis
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annu said contract, and to contract with
any other party parties as he may f for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedent select
for the through mails the lock of bidder for the
way mails that OF another. lie reserves therefore, the
NJ Wif p1tv 1uaI.
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right TO reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem 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 tn
tract is TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton 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 the successful bidder 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
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General