Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-12
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Dnar OPrIcp Dpp TnrEST

March ID, 1851. I
TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys, with
posals to furnish the will be received and considered
at Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted to a commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report
tracts WILL 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
extend continue the contract in force for add
ona term of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not 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 prescribed Standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited, may
able the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity, ghtness and strength
For the purpose OF dispiacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks 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 the dura-
biity 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 If It be like any already
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, furnish, any
lock or kew 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
entee will be required on entering into contract to make
an assignment of his the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests of the
of the failure of the contractor at
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 annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties may m for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem expedient to select
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 reject all the specimens and proposals. 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 for faithful performance of the contract The
tract 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
provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder If bid should be accepted.
No application will be considered If not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract.
N. K HALL,
mar A- Postmaster General.