Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-06
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.

z, 4
TT being desirable substitute locks and keys of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with
posas furnish the same will 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
tracts WILL as practicable be entered into fur
nshng such locks and keys for four with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General for the being
extend continue the contract in force for add
onal term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not more than nine nor less
than 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 the mail service should possess the following quail
ites viz durability, uniformity lighness and strength
For the purpose of dspacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in 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-
blity of the locks and keys adopted well as 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 If It be like any already in
general use will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, sell, furnish any
lock 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 pa
tentee viii be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of bis patent for the exclusive and BEN
eft Of the Department II the Postmaster General shall
such requirement. essential TO the interests Of the
service In Of the failure of the contractor any
time TO fulfil faithfully the 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 he may it, for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General deem expedent TO select
the through mails the lock Of bidder and for the
way mails that of another He 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. II he shall
hal he
party will be required to give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The
tract contain provisions for the 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 tho successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character
the bidder and of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar a. Postmaster General.