Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-03
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

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
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 practicable be entered into for fur
nishng such locks and keys for four with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for add
onal term Of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect than less
than months before the termination Of the first term
of four years.
with view Of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, no kind of lock prescribed standard the De-
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited, may
develop IL L. however, proper TO state that lock suit
able for mail service should possess the following quail
ities viz durability, uniformity ightness, and strength.
For the purpose OF dspiac,ng % ee all tns
locks and twenty thereto will be
required be furnished by the contractor within
after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bty Of the locks and keys adopted, we'll the in
crease Of the service but it will probably
coed In amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand Of the latter.
No lock will be considered II 1t 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 key similar those contracted for for any other
purpose than that Of the Post Office Department
The kind of lock adopted patented and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract TO make
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 at any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions Of HIS
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides a resort 10 the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annu said contract and to contract with
any other party parties he may h for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL expedent to select
for the through mails the lock Of bidder for
way mails that Of another He reserves, therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks as he may select and the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest Of the Department The
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 is contain provisions for the proper in
specion 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 II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence the Trustworthy character
the bidder, and Of his ability TO fulfil the contract.
N. X. HALL,
mar a. Postmaster General.