Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-23
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT 0yrIcE DEPARTMENT,

TT 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 same viii be received considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
tracts WILL as soon as practicable be entered into for
nishng such locks and for four years. with the right
on part the Postmaster General time being
to extend and continue the contract force for an add
tonal term Of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not more than nine nor
than six months before the termination Of the first term
of four years.
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited, may
% the mail Dss
tiles, viz durability, uniformity lightness, and strength.
For the purpose Of dsplacing 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-
bility 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 II 1t be like any already In
general use nor will any one with whom the contract
may made allowed to make, SELL or furnish any
lock key similar 10 those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted be patented the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive ben
eft Of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In case 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 annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may M for furnishing
similar locks aud keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent 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. IL he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract The
tract to contain provisions for the due and proper
specton 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 II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract.
N. X. HALL,
mar d. Postmaster General