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

f 49, fsi March H. 1851. I
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 pro-
posas to furnish the same will be considered
next The different locks will be submitted to commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con
tracts w as soon as practicable be entered into for fur
nshng such locks and keys for four with the right
on the part of the Postmaster General for the time being
TO extend and continue the contract in force for add
tona 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 on the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition, invited may
develop 1t is however proper 70 state that lock suit
able for the mail service should possess the following quail
tiles, viz: durability uniformity ghtness and strength
For the purpose Of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys in about thirty thousand
new locks twenty thousand key thereto win 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
blity of the locks and keys adopted well the in
of the mail service; but it will probably
ceed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter.
No lock win be considered II 1t be like any already in
general 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 to make
assignment Of his patent for the exclusive and ben
eft of Department If the Postmaster General shall
such requirement essential TO the interests of the
service in case 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 resort to the penal remedy hereinafter men
toned to annul said contract and to contract with
any other party parties as be 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 aud 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 10 reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
that for the interest of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required give bond
with ample security, in the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performances of the contract The con-
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper in
spection 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 If bid should be accepted
No application will be considered If not panied
with satisfactory evidence of the Trustworthy character Of
the bidder, and of his ability TO fulfil the contract
kN N. X. HALL,
mar "a Postmaster General.