Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-01-21
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,

+ Al 1
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
different locks will be submitted to commits
tracts WILL practicable, be entered into fur
nshng such locks and keys for four years. with the right
part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
tonal term of four years by giving to the contractor
than six months before the termination Of the first term
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. Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail should possess the following quail
ities viz durability uniformity ghtness 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 will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within seven
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
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 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 or kew similar to those for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract to make
an assignment Of his patent for the exclusive ben
eft Of the Department. IL the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential to the interests Of the
service In case OF the ure OF tine contractor at 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 annul said contract and to contract with
other party parties as he may see it, for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedient to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder 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. If he shall
thatC he
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 IL to 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, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence the trustworthy character Of
the bidder and of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.