Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-11-12
DRoPosALs FOR MAIL-LoCKs.
PosI OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

WASHINGTON, October rs. 1852
keysof kinds. to be substitated for the Locks
and keys now used ON the United States mails win
the Sd day Of FEBRrARf, Is70. IL is desirable Co
reSs se sa DIN hes 81 new Tor ths
invented for that Purp9se As the
nation would impair il not destroy It's utility for
,ns mails, the Department prescribes no model for
OF mechanical skill and ingenuity which a fair com.
pe,ltion among inventors hereby invited, may de-
auisites Of a Mail Lock, as follows: S.f Locking
uniformity, security lightness strength durability
kinds Of Locks and Keys; of brass aud the other
OF iron, different in exterior form and interior COM
sails should specify separately the price OF each bras,
Lock, each hey for same. each iron Lock and each
Locks and Keys proposed required 90 De submit
ed with the proposals; one Of each sample Lock
unriyeted, that internal structure an1 arrange
nent may easily be examined. Every sample should
same or any part of il be covered by a patent tbs
date Of such patent and the name Of the patentee
The internal plan arrangement Of the Locks Of
fered and the particular shape the Key requisite
IN u sen 'ne' must not De IKE any now or heretofore
They must be warranted not to infringe upon or
bidder Is not the paientee. Preference viii be given
10 Lock the Key of which has not been eKposed TO
closed. suggested.
decision on the various specimens and proposals
VIII be made ON or before the 81 day OF MARCH.
ls1O; and, unless the Postmaster General shall deem
u 20 be Tor the interests Of the Department reject
al the Proposals and specimens submitted under this
advertisement Ga right hereby expressly reserved 60
IN, nun contracts will be entered into as soon thereaf
Locks shall be adopted, for furnishing similar Locks
anu Tor ioar years as they may be required sRt
tractor and the Postmaster General for the time be-
the contract may be extended and continnei Tor an
additional term Of four years But and after the
expiration Of either term Of the contract, or on and
al ime he
master General shall have the right 60 contract with
other kind Of Locks and Keys, aud il he shall deem
proper 90 demand and receive from the late or de-
faufting contractor all finished or unfinished Keys
and the internal parts Of the Locks contracted for
and all dies, guages, and designs. which would ena-
the possession of such contractor who after their
surrender 20 the Department shall De paid for tho
same at such price as may be ascertsinrd b. fair
The contractor must agree and be able 10 furnish,
Il required and ordered, 2.90 Brass Locks and 30yl
Brass Keys within three months from the time IL en-
tering into contract and sO1u Iron Locks and o. OD
Iron Keys within ten months from such time Bur
the Postmaster General will reserve the right 20 in
crease or diminish as the wants or Interests OF the
srNlce may Demand the quantities ~ the Locks and
keys above specified, with proportionate allow ance
An the Locks furnished by the contractor must n.
@arrahied 70 Keep IN good working order for two
yeasrs IN the ordinary use Of the srvioe when not
fectlye within that time O. be replaced with perfect
der Contract sSs ~ se s Sss IN
MALL IN either sunk or raised letters and all the
heys are 10 be numbered IN the natural order, each
keyhavng its appropriae number distinctly stamped
upon one side OF the bow and ~. ;. Mail" on the
The contractor in he required 90 diver the Iocks
NJ his own expense at the Post ofhce Departmenf.
ashineton, D. C., put up sticks, forming sepa-
rate bundles OF hve Locks each and securely packed
in wooden boxes, containing not than two hum
dred Locks each. The Keys 90 be delivered an
agent OF the Department duly and specially author
lied IN each case, Go take charge of aud convey tho
saline from The c0ntractOrs mandatory 90 the De-
partment where both Locks and KEYS are % be in
speSted and approved before they shall be PAID Tor
The contractor viii be required 90 give bond with
ample security in the Of Fifty Thousand Dollars
60 lie forfeited 10 the United States as llqudated dam
ages IN OF his failure 90 faithfully perform thu
within a reasonable time 20 guarding the man
ufacture of the Mail Locks and Keys with due pri-
vacy- integrity and care
No proposal will therefore be accepted IL NOT ae-
companied with bond Of the penal sum Of Twenty
Thousand Dollars, duly executed b. the proposed
surefies. Whose responsibility must be Certified nv
Judee OF Court Of Record nearest 20 their nlace -
residence, attesfed by the Clerk Of such Court nnr
the seal thereof and conditional for their becomine
responsble sureties the required bond kor ths
shall be accepted. The manufacture III Mail Lock.
and Keys H.. Of necessity, highly ant and Al
icafe trust. which the department will corfide ~ No
bidder whose Proposals not also accom- panief
with TESTIMONIALS Of good character.
pi Ia asc,as on the Proposs. and specimens the
The Brass Lock OF one bidder and the Iron Loci ~
nnother. He therefore, reserves the right "a c,,,
With diferent individuals for such difrrent
Ainds on Locks as he may select.
Proposals should be carefully scaled and sSdre..a
20 The second Assistant Postmaster General" and
lndorsed CA the envelope Proposals for Mail Locks"
JOHN A. J. CREswELL.
" .o ~ ~ .tot Postmaster General.