Daily American telegraph., 1852-03-04
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, |

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-
posas 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 Upon this report con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshng 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 for add
ona term Of four years by giving TO the contractor
than six months before the termination of the first term
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed standard the De
parment relying for selection on the mechanical sk
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop IL Is however proper TO state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability uniformity ghtness and strength
mail locks and KEYS now In use sbont thirty ihonsand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered no
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bility Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
crease Of the mail service but it will probably never ex
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and one
No lock will be considered II 1t be like any already In
general will any one with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make sell, furnish, any
lock or 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
entee will be required entering into to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
such requirement essential to the interests of the
service In Of the failure Of the contractor at any
time 10 fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to tho penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as he may see M for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedient to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder for the
way mails that of another lie reserves therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
party or parties contracting will be required 20 give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con
tract IL 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 II bid should be accepted
No application will he considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General