Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-20
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
nr.,.

.s March IA, 1851. I
being desirable to substitute locks 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
the 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, con-
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
hona 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 is prescribed Standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited, may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
tiles, viz: durability uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto will be
required be furnished by the contractor within seven
months after the contract shall have been entered into;
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
blity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
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 will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make SELL or furnish any
lock similar TO those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind lock adopted must be patented the pa
tentee will be required entering into make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
service In of the failure of the contractor 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 annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as he may fit for furnishing
similar locks and keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem ii expedent to select
for 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 as he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that for the interest Of the Department The
party parties 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
these provisions to be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, II 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 X. HALL,
mar o. Postmaster General