The collection contains two letter books of Francis G. du Pont (1850-1904) to F.G. Thomas (-1901) of the Iowa Powder Mills, photocopies of selected documents by Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) on gunpowder, and on awards to John Paul Jones (1747-1792) for his victory over HMS Serapis, and letter from Samuel Courtauld (1752-1821) to Captain Joseph H. Rees (1789-1821).

The letter books of du Pont, representing E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, to Thomas, superintendent of the blasting powder mills known as the Mooar Works being erected by DuPont near Keokuk, Iowa. The correspondence covers the building of the mills and their operation, including many details and specifications, with du Pont's instructions to Thomas, and includes site visits. The Mooar Works began operation in April 1890.

The photocopies of Franklin documents include Franklin to Samuel Huntington, president of Congress, July 10, 1780 (original in American Philosophical Society); Huntington to Franklin, March 2, 1781, both concerning Louis XVI decorating John Paul Jones with the Ordre de Merite Militaire for his actions at the Battle of Flamborough Head in 1779; John Paul Jones to Franklin, January 26, 1784; Franklin to Jones, July 22, 1787 (original in New York Public Library). Also typed copy of a letter from Brad Stephens in Boston to Franklin Bache Huntington in New York, November 30, 1937, regarding Franklin's use of electricity in firing gunpowder.

Samuel Courtauld was a member of the famous Huguenot family of London silk-spinners, resident as a merchant in the Philadelphia area. Here representing E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, he writes to Captain Joseph H. Rees, first commandant of the Frankford Arsenal, concerning a shipment of gunpowder.