Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-11
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFRICE DEPARTMENT,

q, IL. l
being desirable 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 viii be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day Of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nshing 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
than months before the termination of the first term
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price no kind of lock prescribed standard the
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop II is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity lighness, and strength.
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bity of the locks and keys adopted well 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 It be like any already In
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed TO make, SELL furnish any
lock key similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose or than that of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented, and the
tenee win be required entering into contract to make
an assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department II the 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 his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besdesa resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annu said contract and TO contract with
any other party parties he may At for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem it expedent to select
for the through mails the lock OF bidder 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 reject all the specimens and proposals. If he shall
Tho int Tho
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 contain provisions for the due proper in
spection 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 win 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 a. Postmaster General.