Daily American telegraph., 1852-01-12
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March IA, 1851 !
TT 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-
posa to furnish the same win be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will submitted TO commits
wi as as practicable, be entered
nishng such locks and keys for four with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General time being
to extend continue the contract in force for addi
tonal term 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, kind of lock prescribed Standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
% IL ~ % ssSi Gok S
ites viz durability uniformity lghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the supply will depend the dura-
by 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 will be considered If It be like any already in
general will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed 10 make, SELL or furnish any
lock similar to those contracted for for other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft the Department., IT, tho Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests Of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor at any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of hs
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract to contract anew with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem Il expcdent 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 for such
different kinds Of locks as 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 The
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 of
these provisions TO be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HAIL.
mar 2f- Postmaster General.
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