Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-09
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,

i
T being desirable to substitute locks keys of
i other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with
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 commits
tracts will practicable be entered into for
nshng 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 add
tona term Of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice that effect than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first
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 the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
able for the mail service should the following quail
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity lghtDess and-srength
For the purpose of dspacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in USE about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend on the dura
bity Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail service; but 1t will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock win be considered If 1t be like any already in
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELF or furnish any
lock key similar TO those contracted for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented the pa
entcc will be required entering into contract
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department, IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In of the failure of the contractor Mt any
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 men
toned TO annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties e may it. furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon tho proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 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 such
different kinds of locks 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 parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The con-
tract to contain provisions for the and proper in
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. K HALL,
mar A- Postmaster General.