Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-16
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March IA, 1851 (
TT being desirable substitute locks and 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 win 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
nihng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General fer the time being
extend and continue the contract in force for add
tonal term of four years. by giving 20 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 as standard the De
partment relying for selection on the mechanical ski
and ingenuity which fair competition now invited may
develop 1t is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
itie durability, uniformity, lightness and strength.
For the purpose of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
new locks and twenty 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-
by of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
crease 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 II IL he like any already in
general use: 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 Of lock adopted must be patented and the
will be required, entering into contract TO make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft Of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service OF the failure OF the contractor ut
time TO 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 70 contract with
other party parties 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 the through mails the lock Of bidder andor 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 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 II TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the Of
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder ii bid should be accepted
No application will he considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the Trustworthy character of
the bidder, and Of his ability to fulfil the contract
NJ X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.