Daily American telegraph., 1852-01-22
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,


TT being desirable to substitute locks and keys Of some
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posas to furnish the same will be received and considered
at the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks viii be submitted to commits
tracts WILL practicable be entered into fur
nshng such locks and keys for four with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General for time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
ona term of four years, by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect than nine
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 on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited, may
develop 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity ghtness, and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
newocs 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 the in
crease of the mail service; will probably never ex
coed in amount three thousand of the former and one
thousand Of the latter
No lock will be considered II 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
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 at
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 to annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may TT for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedient TO select
for 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 to reject all the specimens and proposals II he shall
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security in the sum Of thirty thousand dol
lars faithful performance Of the contract The
tract TO contain provisions for the due 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 the successful bidder III 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 "a Postmaster General.
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