Daily American telegraph., 1852-01-26
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
[

TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posa to 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
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four with the right
part of the Postmaster General the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor 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 is prescribed standard the De
parment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited may
develop IL Is however, proper state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
For the purpose Of dispacSs smuitsneousy ali the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty Thousand thereto win 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-
Of the mail service; but It will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered II Il be like any already In
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL furnish, any
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
an OF his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests Of the
time TO fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 70 the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned annul said contract and contract anew with
any other party parties as he may 1T for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II expeden select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder the
mails that Of another. lie 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 course 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 con-
tract Is TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
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 Department
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application VIII be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder and Of his ability 10 fulfil the contract
N. X HALL
mar "a Postmaster General.