Daily national Republican., 1863-02-28
LEATHER HORSE MAIL BAGS,
(Sdddle-bdgs Eor,n,)

OF size No l. measuring forty eight inches In length
and twenty-one inches IN width at the widest
partsj the ends or bottoms being fourteen by
twenty-six inches.
OF size No. 2, measuring forty-hve inches In length
and eighteen inches In width at the widest parts; (;
the ends or bottoms being twelve by twenty
four inches.
OF size No 3, measuring forty-two inches in length
and sixteen inches In width at the widest parts;
the ends or bottoms being ten by twenty
These bags are to be made Of good and substan-
tial bag leather, well tanned, weighing not less
than seven ounces to the square FOOT the seams to
be securely formed and well and strongly sewed
or II riveted, to be so done As not to chae horse
rider.
CANVASS MAIL SACKS,
OF size No. l, measuring foTty-three inches in
length and siNty-two Inches In circumference,
Of size No. 2, measuring fOrty-one inches In length
and fOrty-eight inches in circumference.
OF size No D. measuring thirty inches In length
and thirtY-eight inches in circumference.
The sacks OF sizes numbered and are to be
made with tablng or hem at the top, two inches
wide, upon which n sufficient number of eyelet
hOles-At least ten to the former and eight TO the
latteT-are TO be wroughti and they are each TO be
provided with good and sufficient hemp cord to
lace and tie them thoroughly. All are to be, mark
ed inside and outside " U. g. Mail" in large, dis
tinct and durable letters.
In view OF the present scarcity and high price of
the cotton duck or canvass ofwhich the mail sacks
have hitherto been made, 1t Is deemed ineXpedient
to limit the proposed material Of such sacks to cot
ton alone or to prescribe any standard as to kind
or quality of material TO be offered. Bidders are
therefore invited 10 submit specimen mail sacks
made Of cotton, FAX, hemp, or jute canvass, or
Dundee bagRng, Of any material possessing
requisite strength and durability which may be
considered an economical substitute for cotton
canvass; and the Postmaster General will make
such selection theTeiTOm as hC may deem to be- In
connection with the bids, the most adVantag
to the Department.
Proposals for Improvement in the form or con-
structOn, well as in the Materials of any of the
above described bags and pouches are invited And
the relative price and adaptation to the service as
a u anpUiupn imUTNVnnaufa IA
viii be considered In determining the lowest and
best bid.
10 All articles contracted for are to be delivered
At the expense OF the contractor in Boston, Mass
achusettsj New York and Albany, New York; Phi
ladelphla and Plttsburg, Pennsylvaniai Baltimore,
MaTyla9di Washington, D. e. Louisville, Ken
Chicago, Illinois In such quantities and at such
times as the department may order. And they
none are to be receiv ed which are Inferior m any
respect, to the specimens adopted AZ the standard
bags.
The proposals should specify the price of each
article proposed TO be furnished.
No proposal will be considered II not accOmpA-
MED with specimens or samples Of each article bid
for, showing the construction, size, and quality Of
materials and workmanship offered, and also with
a written guarantee from the persons proposed as
sureties, (whose responsibility must be certified
that they will become responsible, on sufficient
bond, tor the due performance Of the contract, In
case such proposal be accepted.
The specimens or samples must be delivered at
this Department on or before the 2lst day OF AprI
next, and those which shall have accompanied the
accepted proposals will, In connection with such
proposals, form the basis Of the contracts to be
made.
Every specimen submitted should be we'll and
distinctly marked with the nuHb Der denOting Its
size, and have affixed 10 II sample Of the mate
rials Qeather or canYaBsl OF which II IL made.
All specimens deposited by bidders which can
with safety and convenience, be used in the mail
service will be paid for at the prices specified In the
proposals relating TO the same.
decision on the bids will be made on or before
the 9th day of May next; and the accepted bidder
bidders will he required to enter into contract with
sufficient bond and sureties, on or before the 23d
day Of June, 1853.
The average number Of mail bags annually re-
quired will probably not exceed the following est'
mates, to wilt:
5000 mail pouches
600 horse mail bagsi and
25OOO canvass mall sacks.
But the Postmaster General will reserve the right
TO order more less mail bags Of the kinds above
described to be furnished and received the wants
and interests OF the service may seem 20 him 70 de
mAnd during the term for which the contracts arc
to be made.
The proposals should he transmitted in sealed
envelope, endorsed " Proposals for Mail Bags,n and
be addressed to the Postmaster General, Washing
NJ. BLAIR,
ian 2I-WlOW Postmaster General,