Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-28
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PoST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

II,
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 pro-
posals to 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 wi as as practicable entered into
nishing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
ON the part OF the Postmaster General for the time being
TO extend and continue the contract in force for add
uonal term 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-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited, may
develop II IS however proper 70 state .hSi lock suit
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity lightness, and strength.
For the purpose of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks and twenty thousand 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-
bility of the locks and keys adopted as well the in
coed in amount three thousand Of the former
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II II be like any already in
general use; nor 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 lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee will be required entering into contract make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive ard ben
eft Of the Department If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement essential TO the interests Of the
service In Of the failure OF the contractor any
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 annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may IT. for furnishing
similar locks aud keys
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered,
the Postmaster General may deem 1t expedent to select
the through mails the lock of bidder and 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 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required 10 give bond
with ample security, in the Of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance of the contract The con-
tract contain provisions for the due proper in
specton of the locks and keys and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, IL bid should be accepted
No application will be considered IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder and Of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar 81 Postmaster General.