Daily American telegraph., 1852-03-02
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 win be received and considered
ut the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next The different locks will be submitted TO a commits
sion for examination and report. Upon this report
tracts will practicable, be entered into for fur
nshing 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 add
onal term of four years. by giving to the contractor
written notice to that effect not 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 prescribed a 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 should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability, uniformity, ghnes and strength
For the purpose Of displacng simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in use, about thirty thousand
locks and twenty 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-
biity of the locks and keys adopted, as well the in
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If 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 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 pa
entee will be required entering into contract to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and 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 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 men
toned annu said contract and to contract anew with
any other party parties he may fit 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 and for the
way mails that of another lie 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
deem 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 faithful performance of the contract The
tract is to contain provisions for tho due and proper
epecon of the locks and keys, and also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder, If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered if not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence Of the trustworthy character Of
the bidder, of his ability 10 fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL,
mar d. Postmaster General