Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-13
DRINK d DURBIN, Iron d. steel Mer-
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS
posT OFFICE DEPARTMENT

March IA, 1851. (
being desirable to substitute locks and keys of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas to 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
sion for examination and report Upon this report, con-
tracts will practicable be entered into for fur
nishing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on the part of Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
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
of four years.
with view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock is prescribed Standard the De-
partment relying for selection on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, now invited,
develop is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles viz durability uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use about thirty thousand
new and twenty thousand keys adapted 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 on the dura-
bty of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
crease 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 or 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
tenee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive use and ben
eft Of the Department II tne postmaster General sna
service Of the failure Of the contractor at any
time 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 annu said contract and to contract with
other party parties as he may see it, for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedient 20 select
for the through mails the lock OF bidder and for the
way mails that Of another. lie 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. If lac shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties contractngw be required to give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
to contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton Of the locks and keys, and also guarding
agansheir 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 will 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 81 Postmaster General.