Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-31
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March IA, 1851. I
TT being desirable substitute locks and keys of
j other kind for those now in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same Will DO and
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
nshng locks and keys for four years. with the right
on part the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract In force for add
tiona 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-
parment relying for selection on 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 possess the following quail
ities viz durability uniformity ghtnes and strength
For the purpose Of dispacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in USE about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand keys adapted thereto will be
required 10 be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bity 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
No lock win 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
lock or key similar those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind ofock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department. II the Postmaster General shall
service In 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 a resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and to contract 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 1t expedien to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder 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. II he shall
deem that 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 faithful performance Of the contract The
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 the Department
and the successful bidder II 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 "a Postmaster General.