Most Excellent
Z[meskall]!
Much as
I dislike doing so, yet I must ask you to do me a favor; and that
is, I should like you to act on my behalf and endeavor to persuade
Artaria to let you have from six to twelve copies just for the
time being. I will purchase the others later on. I simply must
give a copy to Salieri, I shall tell you why, in some copies to
a few other people as well. But for the moment I should like you
to be so good as to pay A[rteria] on my behalf for the six to
twelve copies. The speculation pertaining to our raising 500 gulden
will surely materialize and will perhaps be to my advantage; and
then the money you disburse for me will be refunded to you at
once. Try to persuade A[rtaria] to let you have these six to twelve
copies even before he receives the 30 gulden from L. I do beg
you to let me know immediately when I may expect an answer from
you about this. I should very much like to receive some copies
this very day, because I must give one to Salieri today.
Your true friend
Beethoven