Daily American telegraph., 1852-01-10
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

Ia, J
being desirable to substitute locks keys
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 until M tine first day Of 1ny
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
tracts will soon as practicable be entered into for fur
the part of the Postmaster General 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 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. Is however, proper to state that lock suit
able for the mail service should the following quail
iies viz durability uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of displacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in about thirty thousand
locks and twenty Thousand viii be
months after the contract shall have been entered nto
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura-
bity Of the locks and keys adopted, well the in
Of the mail service; but will probably never ex-
coed in amount three thousand Of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock will be considered If It be like any already In
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL or furnish, any
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind FLOCK adopted must be patented and the pa
tenee will be required entering into contract to make
an assignment OF his patent for the exclusive ben
eft Of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
service In case 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 resort TO the penal remedy hereinafter
toned to annul said contract and TO contract 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 1t expedient to select
for the through mails the lock of bidder 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 Tho
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 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 10 be arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II 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. K HALL,
mar A- Postmaster General.