Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-11-17
DRoPosALs FOR MAIL-LocKs.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

wAsHISsToS, October rs. 1853
keysof new kinds, TO be substituted for the Locks
and Keys now used ON the United ssates mails, viii
the Sd day OF FEBRUARY, 1870. IL i desirable 90
exclusive use Il the n T and pr 1e
eSSosere " %oP | S tss, the
nation would impair IL not destroy, its utility for
the mails, the Department prescribes no model for
Of mechanical skill and ingenuity which a lair com
petition among inventors hereby invited, may de-
quisites Of a Mail Lock. follows: Self Locking,
uniformity, security lightness strength; durability,
kinds Of Locks and Keys; Of brass and the other
Of iron different in exterior form and interior
sals should specify separately the price Of each brass
Lock, each key for same, each Iron ..nck and ssca
Locks and Keys proposed required 90 be submit
Ted NTH the PSsals one q each sample Lock 20
unrveted that its internal structure ans arrange
be plainly marked with the bidder name and ii The
dame sse or ANY part Of IL BE- covered by patent the
must also be attached thereto.
he internal plan or arrangement OF the Locks OF
Tered and the particular shape OF the hey requisite
TO open them, must not be like any or heretofore
in use.
They must he warranted not 20 infringe upon or
conflict with any patented invention ct which the
bidder Is not the paeniee Preference will be given
20 Lock the hey OF which has not been exposed 70
general observation been publicly described, dis
closed. or suggested.
decision on the various specimens and proposals
VIII be made on or before the 81 day ~ M ARTU
ls7O; and, unless the Postmaster General shall dssm
o be Tor the interests Of the Department. 90 reject
all the Proposals and specimens Submitted under tbis
advertisement right hereby expressly reserved 20
ter practicable with the successful bidder whose
LOCKS shall BE- adopted, for furnishing similar Locks
ordered Ifmufnay agreed to in writing 5y the oSn
tractor and the Postmaster General Tor the time be-
the contract may be extended anl continued tor an
additional term Of four years But ON and after the
after its rightfu annulment at any time the Post
master General shall have the right e contract with
other Kind Ct Locks and Keys; and if he shall deeIa
fa1ltine contractor ali finished or unfi%ished key,
and the internal parts OF the Locks contracted for,
BILE others TO make or forge such Locks Keys, in
the possession OF such contractor who. after their
surrender 10 the Department shall be paid for ths
same, at such price as may be ascertained By fair
il required and ordered, 1900 Brass Locks and sgsI
Brass Keys within three months from the time Of en-
Iron Keys within ten months from such time. But
the Postmaster General WIN reserve the right 70 in
crease or diminish, as the wants interests OF the
seryice may demand, the quantities q the Locks and
All the Locks furnished by the contractor must be
in the Ordinary use Of the rs when hT t W.,
subjected 20 obvious violence; such n become de-
without eSae Al ris RS.
der contract are 20 be, each, distinctly marked u.
keys are 60 be numbered in the natural order; each
keyhaying it's appropriate number distinctly stamped
upon one side 81 the bow and . U. D. Mad" ON the
opposite side.
fhe Contractor IN be required 20 deliver the Lock.
at his own expense at the Post Once Department,
Washington. ID. c. put mp sticks, forming sepa-
rate bundles Of five Locks each and securely packsf
in wooden boxes, containing not more than hun
dred Locks each. The Keys be delivered % an
agent of the Department duly and specially author
lied IN each case, % take charge Of and convey the
same from the contractors mandatory 20 the De-
rartment, whore both Locks and Keys are 90 he i'm
spected and approved before they shall be paid for
The contractor will be required 60 give bond with
ample security IN the Of Fifty Thousand Dollars
70 be forfeited 90 the United states a dam
ages I'm case OF his failure 20 faithfully perform tbs
contract, either 90 furnishing the supplies ordered
within reasonable time. or as 20 guarding the man
ufscture Of the Mail Locks and Keys with due pri-
vacy, integrity, and care.
No proporaf will therefore be accepted IL not ac-
compaped With a bond IL the penal Of Twenty
Thousand Dollars, duly executed by the proposed
sureties. (whose responsibility must be certified by
Judge of a Court Of Record nearest their place n
resdence affesfed BY the Clerk Of such Court under
the seal thereof and conditional Tor their beconins
responsible suretes on the required bond FOR th
fulkilment Of the contract, In case such Propo-sl
shall be accepted The manufacture Of Mail f,.ck.
and key il. IL necessity, highly important and r
icafe trust. which the Department will confide 10 no
bidder whose Proposals are not also Recommended
with testimonials OF good character.
In deciding ON the Proposals and specimens the
Postmaster General may deem IL expeiient 90 sheet
the Brass Lock of one bidder and the Iron Lock al
another. he. therefore, reserves the right con-
tracing with different indy inals for such diercut
kinds OF Locks as he may select.
Proposals should be carefully sealed aud addressed
70 the ssscond Assistant Postmaster General aud
Endorsed ON the envelope Proposals for Mail LecsS
JOHN A. J. CREsWELL,
&C - WI ut Postmaster General