Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-19
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
P0sT OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,



TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
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
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
tracts will soon practicable be entered into for fur
nishng such locks keys for four with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
To extend and continue the contract in force for addi
onal term of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect than nine less
than six months before tho termination OF the first term
OF four years.
with view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind of lock prescribed a standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop II is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able the mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability uniformity lghtnes and strength
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand adapted thereto will be
required TO be furnished ey me contractor within seven
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
by of the locks and keys adopted, as 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 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 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
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department. IL the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In of the failure Of the contractor ut any
time TO fulfil faithfully the conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned annu said contract and TO contract with
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 il expedent TO select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder and the
way mails that Of another lie 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
or If thp
party parties contracting will be required to give bond
with ample security in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract is contain provisions for the due proper
specon Of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the 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 TO fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar d. Postmaster General.