The national Republican., 1861-05-13
Proposals for Furnishing Mail Locks.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
CEAIED PROPOSALS for furnishing mail looks and keys
- ol new kinds to be substituted Tor the locks and key
now used on the United States mails will be received At
July, ls5l.
Ii being desirable obtain locks and keys Of new
structon and invented expressly for the exclusive Of
the United States mails model prescribed bidders
tho Department relying for Its selection the results Of
mechanical skill aud ingenuity which fair composition,
now invited, may produce. 1t Is deemed necessary only
to state that mail lock should bo se locking and that its
other principal requisites uniformity security, l9hnsss,
strength, durability, nousiy Of construction, and facility Of
use. o.
Two kinds Of mail oks keys-one Of brass and the
othor Of ron-dercnt in form and construction,
quod and proposals should specify separately the price
of each iron zach key for same each brass lock- and
Duplicate samples patterns Of each kind Of locks pro-
posed, required 10 be submitted with the proposals
Of each kind of sample locks TO be rvettod and n
shed and another " be unrvetted that It's
ternnl structure may easily be examined Evory sample
should be plainly marked with the bidders name.
The locks offered should not be patented should their
internal construction bs otherwise publicly known, be
similar TO any locks heretofore used and they must be
patented invention.
The various sample locks presented by bidders will be
submitted to board Of examiners be commissioned by
the Postmaster General Tor the Of examining and
reporting them and unless the General shall
deem 10 be for tho interest Of TO all
tho proposals and specimens submitted under this advsr
semcnt contracts will the report Of tho examiners,
be entered into practicable with the successful
bidder whose locks are adopted furnishing similar locks
and keys for four yoars they may be required and
dersd with the right tho part Of tho Postmaster Gene
raj for tho time being and continue the
in force for additional term Of four years, giving
uce in writing TO tho contractor not less than six mouths
before tho termination the st Of four years
al the expiration Of the FIRST Of four years. contract
with any other party for furnishing similar different
locks and Keys tho Postmaster General
Tie contractor must agree and be able to furnish
Qurcd and ordered brass locks and 6O0 brass keys
within three months from the time OF entering into
tract and $1,000 iron locks and 10 900 iron keys, within
eight months from such tpe. But the Postmaster General
will reserve the right 70 increase or diminish as the wants
interests Of tho service may domand the quantities Of
tho locks and keys above specified, with proporuonae
allowance Of time W furnish them.
All the locks furnished by the contractor must be
rantcd 10 keep good working order for years. In the
ordinary Of the SERVICE whom not subjected to obvious
violence such become detective, during that time
be replaced with perfect locks without charge.
The contractor will be required deliver The locks his
expense ut tho Post Office Department Washington,
locks each and securely packed wooden boxes contain
Ing hot than two hundred locks each The Keys
10 be delivered TO agent OF the Department. duly and
specially authorized III each To take charge Of and
the from tho factory u the Depart
ment where both locks and keys be inspected
approved boioro they shall be paid for.
The contractor will bo required 10 give bond with ample
security In the Of twenty five thousand dollars the
faithful performance OF tho contract bis part both
furnishing the supplies ordered and guarding tho manuac
ture Of tho mail locks and keys with due privacy integrity
and care No proposal will therefore bo considered not
accompanied with written from the proposed
suretes (whoso responsibility must be certified by the
postmaster ut the place oil their residence that they will
become responsible the required bond for the fument
Of the contract by the bidder such proposals be
eepted.
In deciding the proposals and specimens the Posmas.
ter General may deem expedicnt select the brass lock
OF one bidder and the iron lock Of another He therefore
the right Of contracting with different individuals
for such different kinds or locks as he may select.
Proposals should be carefully ssaed addressed to the
Postmaster General and endorsed tho envelope Pro-
N. BLAIR,
apr 27-wSw Postmaster General.