Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-02-21
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS AND KEYS.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March IA, 1851 I
being desirable substitute locks keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
poss to 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 con-
tracts WILL practicable, he entered into for fur
ntshing such locks and keys for four years. with the right
the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contrnc IN force for add
tonal term of four years by giving TO the contractor
written notice to that effect not than nine less.
than months before the termination of the first term
of four years,
with view Of procuring the best lex at the lowest
price, kind 81 lock is prescI bed STANDARD, he pe
iartpent 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
ies viz Durability uniformity, lightncs and strength
For the purpoe Of displacng simultaneously oil the
mail locks aud Keys in Use, about thirty thousand
locks ana twenty thousand thereto will he
required to be furnished by The contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply viii depend the dur-
by Of the locks and keys adopted, wcl the in
Of the mail service; but it will probably
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 furnish, any
lock key similar to those contracted for for 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, II the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential TO the interests of the
service In OF the failure of the contractor 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 annu 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 deem 1t expeden TO select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and the
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. II he shall
deem 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 to contain provisions for the due and proper in
spccon 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 IL not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and of his ability to fulfil the contract
N. X. HALL
mar 2i- Postmaster General.