These selected papers include correspondence concerning Franklin, Franklin's descendants, and Franklin's papers, extracts from Philadelphia newspapers on Franklin, papers used in Sparks' biography, miscellaneous entries in his diary (1830-1854) relating to his search for Franklin manuscripts, and his preparation of an edition of Franklin's writings. Correspondents include Henry Stevens, Jr.; Henry Stevens, Sr.; Benjamin Vaughan; Petty Vaughan; James Mease; H. D. Gilpin; J. Francis Fisher; Franklin Bache; and others.

These papers are principally personal correspondence of a father and son who were prominent Pennsylvania-German citizens, each of whom represented his district in Congress. Correspondents of the elder Muhlenberg include William Bigler, Simon Cameron, William J. Duane, John Meredith Read, and Richard Rush, and concern Democratic politics and Lutheran church business. Correspondents of the younger Muhlenberg include Benjamin H. Brewster, George M. Dallas, John K. Kane, Robert M. Patterson, and Seth Salisbury. There is also a group of letters to and from Muhlenberg relating to his biography of General Peter Muhlenberg, and a volume of commissions.