Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-29
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, I

TT being desirable to substitute locks keys some
il other kind for those in for the mail service
Of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posals 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
nhng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part Of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for ad
tona term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor less
than six months before the termination of the first
OF four years. sEt4
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
develop IS however proper to state that lock suit
tiles, viz: durability uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys In about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty thereto win be
required TO be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura.
bty Of the locks and keys adopted well the in
Of the mail service; but will probably
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter t
No lock win be considered II It be like any already in
general nor will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL or furnish any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind flock 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 of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
service In OF the failure Of the contractor at any
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned TO annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem It expcdent to 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 he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting win be required 10 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
specion of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands; terms Of
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II bid should be accepted
No application will be consdered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character OF
the bidder, and Of his ability TO fulh the contract
N. X. HALL
mar 24- Postmaster General.