The national Republican., 1861-05-08
Proposals for Furnishing Mail Locks.
Posr OFTIcE DEPARTMENT


SEAED PROPOSALS for furnishing mail looks and keys
used the United States mails will be received at
this Department until nine O'Clock L. A tho tonth day Of
being desirable to obtain locks and keys Of new con.
structon and invented expressly for tho exclusive
tho United States mails model Is prescribed for bidders
the Department relying for its selection the results Of
mechanical skill and ingenuity which fair competition,
now invited, may produce Il is deemed necessary only
to state that mail lock should be selocg, and that t
other principal requisites uniformity security, Rghne
strength durability novelty Of construction and Jaeility Of
Two kinds Of mail 10 ks and keys-one Of brass and the
other Of irondincrcnt in form and construction,
Of each iron lock- each key for each brass lock- and
each brass kcy for same.
Duplicate samples patterns Of each kind of locks pro-
posed are required to be submitted with tho proposals
Of each kind Of sample locks be rvetcd up H
shed and another to be open unrvced that Its in
terna structure may easily bo examined Every sample
should be plainly marked with tho bidders name.
The locks offered should not bo patented should their
similar any locks heretofore used and they must be
warranted in any way tonnge or Interfere with any
The various sample locks presented by bidders will be
submitted TO board OF examiners TO be commissioned by
the Postmaster General Tor the purpose Of examining and
reporting them unless the Postmaster General shall
deem 10 be Tor the interest Of the Department to reject a
the proposals and specimens submitted under this ad'er
isement contracts will upon the report OF the examiners
be entered into practicable with the successful
bidder whose locks adopted Tor furnishing similar locks
and keys for four years, they may required
dered the right part Of tho Postmaster Gene
ra for the time being 10 extend aud continue the contract
In force for an additional term Of four years. giving
tice, in writing TO the contractor less than mouths
before the termination Of the first term Of four years
at the expiration Of the first term OF four years.
with any other party for furnishing similar or different
locks and keys tho Postmaster General determine
The contractor must agree and be able to furnish,
Qured and ordered brass locks aud 600 brass keys
within three months from the time entering into
tract and 10000 iron locks and 10000 iron Keys within
eight months from such time But tho Postmaster General
will the right to Increase diminish the
or interests of the service may demand the quantities Of
the locks and keys above specified, with proporOnate
allowance Of time to furnish them
All tho locks furnished by tho contractor must be
raned 10 Keep good working order for two years In the
ordinary use OF tho SERVICE when not subjected to obvious
violence such become Detective during that tmo,
be replaced with perfect locks, without charge.
The contractor will be required To deliver the locks ut his
own expense, at the Post Office Department. Washington
d. C. put up on sticks forming separate bundles Of ve
locks each and securely packed In wooden boxes contain
ing not than hundred locks each. The keys
to be delivered 10 agent of tho Department. duty and
specially authorized in each to take charge Of aud
vcy tho same from the contractors factory 10 tho Depart
mcut where both locks and keys bo inspected and
approved beforu they shall DO paid for.
The contractor will be required give bond with ample
security In the sum Of twenty tive thousand dollars for tho
faithful performance Of the contract his part both to
furnishing the supplies ordorcd and guarding the manulac
ture oi tho mail locks and keys with due privacy integrity
and care No proposal will therefore be considered, If
accompanied with written guarantee from tho proposed
sureties (whUso responsibility be certified by tho
postmaster at the place OF their rcsdcnce that they will
become responsible the required bond tho unment
Of tho contract by tho bidder such proposals be
cepted.
In deciding the proposals and specimens the Posmas.
ter General may deem expedicnt select the brass lock
OF bidder and the iron lock OF another lie therefore
the right Of contracting with different individuals
Tor such different kinds OF locks he may select
Proposals should be carefully sealed addressed to tho
Postmaster General and endorsed tho envelope, Pro
posals for Nail Locks"
NJ. BLAIR,
apr 27-wsw Postmaster General.