Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-16
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
~ PoST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

H&H#H March IA, 1851 ]
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 Office Department until the first day of July
The different locks will be submitted to commits
tracts WILL as soon as practicable be entered into for fur
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 addi
onal 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
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed Standard the De-
parment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
able for the mail service should posses the following oua
iies viz durability uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
by Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
crease Of the mail service but viii probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter. 'g@r#r
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 or furnish any
lock 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
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of HIS patent for the exclusive and BEN
eft of the Department IL the Postmaster General shall
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
besides resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annl said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys. tE
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expedien select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and for the
way mails that Of another Hc 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
deem that for the interest of the Department Tho
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security in the of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance of the contract The
tract contain provisions for the due proper
specon 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 il bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered IL 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. s..-. .s#, Postmaster General.