Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-09
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,



being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
Of inc united STATES specmen LOCKS anu Win pro
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 con-
tracts WILL practicable be entered into for fur
nishing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
on part of the Postmaster General for the time being
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 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
dsyeSp rs proper % sst e., .sSi LOCK suit
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity ghtncss and strength
For the purpose Of dsplacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use about thirty thousand
locks twenty thousand thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered no
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bilty of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail services but IL will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered II II 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 10 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
tenec will Be- required entering into contract 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 the
service Of the failure Of the 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 TO annu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party parties he may At for furnishing
similar locks and keys.
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem II 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. he shall
that course 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 TO contain provisions for the due and proper in
specton 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, bid should be accepted.
No application viii 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 M- Postmaster General.