American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-04
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

II.
March a. 1851.
1T 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
posas to furnish the same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to a commits
sion for examination and report Ipon this report
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nishng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
70 extend and continue the contract in force for add
tional of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more 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, no kind lock prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop IL is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tics, viz durability uniformity, ghness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, thirty thousand
and twenty thousand keys thereto win be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
by Of the locks and keys adopted, as well as the in
Of the mail service; but it will probably
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II IL be like any already in
general use; will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, sell, furnish
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tnntce will be required entering contract TO make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
deem such requirement essential to the interests the
service In Of the failure of the contractor at
time 10 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 tho penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem expedent 10 select
the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that of another. lie therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds of locks he may select and also the
right 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party or parties contracting will he required TO give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract Is contain provisions for the due and proper in
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 the successful bidder, if bid should be accepted
No application will be considered if not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar 2i-- Postmaster General.