The national Republican., 1861-06-06
Proposals for Furnishing Mail Locks.
Posi- OpuCg DEPARTMENT,


- EAIEp PROPOSALS for furnishing mail looks aud Keys
- new kinds, to be substituted tor the locks and keys
used the United States mais will be received at
thsDcpltmcnt until nine o'eivk A. ~ the tenth day Of
July, 1851.
being desirable to obtain locks and keys OF con-
sruciUn and Invented expressly for the exclusive OF
the United States mails no model is prescribed Tor bidders
tile Department relying for selection the results NJ
mechanical skill anu ingenuity which far competition,
now invited, may produce, II IS deemed necessary only
to that mail lock should be selftocihg, and that its
other principal requisites uniformity security ghness,
strength durability nOreity Of construction, and Jae'y
Two kinds Of mail 10 Ks and keys-nc Of brass and the
other Of irondnerert in form and construction are re-
qured and proposals should specify separately the price
each lock each key same each brass lock- and
each brass key for same
Duplicate samples or patterns each kind of locks pro-
posed required to DO submitted with the proposals
OF each kind OF sample locks to be rvetted up and hn
sed aud another TO be open or unriyct,c so that ia in
erna structure may easily bc examined. Every sample
should be plainly marked with the bidders name.
The locks offered should no, be- patented should their
internal construction be otherwise publicly known, or be
similar 10 locks heretofore used and thay must be
warranted not, in any way toairngo or interfere with any
patented invention.
Tie various sample locks presented by bidders will be
submitted to board Of examiners " be cOmmss soncd by
tho Postmaster General tor the purpose OF examining aud
reporting on them and unless tho Postmaster General shi
deem to be for the interest u tho Department to reject all
sencut will upon the report OF the examiners,
b. entered into, practicable with the successful
bidder whose locks are adopted Tor furnishing sm.a locks
and keys for four years. they be required and Or
dcred with tie right, the part of tue Postmaster Gene
raj for the time being to oxcnd and continue the contract
in force for additional term Of four years. OH giving no
ticc, writing the contractor less than months
before the termination Of the first term OF lour years or
the expiration OF the first Of four years. TO contract
with any other party for furnishing similar or different
locks and keys tho Postmaster General may determine
The contractor must aud bc abe 10 furnish, re-
qured aud ordered 900 brass locks and 6OO brass keys
within three mouths from the time ut entering into con
aud 80 900 iron locks and so 900 iron keys within
eight months from such time But tue Postmaster General
will the right to increase or diminish as the wants
or interests Of tho service may demand the Quantities Of
the locks aud Keys above spccihsd with propoitonate
allowance Of time TO furnish them.
All the locks furnished by the contractor must be war
rancd to keep In good working order for two years. in tho
ordinary Of tho servicc whom not subjected 10 obvious
violence such become defective, during that time, to
he replaced with perfect locks, without charge
The contractor will be required o deliver the locks at his
expense, at the Post Office Department. Washington
u. c. put up sticks, forming separate bundles VI i've
locks each and securely packed In wooden boxes contain
ing than two hundred locks each The Keys are
to be delivered to agent OF the Department. duly aud
specially authorized in each to take charge Of and con
the from the contractors factory to the Depart
mcnt where both locks aud keys " be inspected and
approved before they shall be paid for.
The will be required " give bond with ample
security the Of twenty five thousand dollars Tor the
faithful performance OF the contract his part both as TO
furnishing the supplies ordered and guarding the mauac
oi the mail locks and keys with privacy integrity
and care No proposal will therefore be considered not
accompanied with written guarantee from the proped
surctcs, (whUse responsibility must be certified by the
postmaster at the place oG their residence that they will
become responsible the required bond for the flmen
of the contract by the bidder such proposals be
eepted.
In deciding the proposals and specimens the Postmas
ter General deem expeden 10 select the brass lick
of bidder and the iron lock OF another He therefore
the right Of contracting with drerch individuals
Tor such different kinds Vi locks he may select
Proposals should be carefully soaled addressed to the
Postmaster General aud endorsed Oh the envelope Pro
posals for Mail Locks"
apr 27-wsw Postmaster General.