I have a request to
make of you, dear friend, since no doubt you will remember that
note you sent me when H[err] v[on] Hartl commissioned
you to inform me about the concert for theatrical employees in
distress. My delight at receiving your communication about this
prompted me to take it at once to my friend Breuning in
order to show it to him. I left it there and thus it was mislaid.
So far as I remember, the substance of it was: 'that you wrote
to inform me that you had spoken to H[err] v[on] Hartl about fixing
a day for a concert and that he thereupon commissioned
you to let me know that if I were to produce important works
for performance at this year's concert for theatrical employees
in distress, and to conduct in person, I could immediately choose
a day for a concert in the Theater an der Wien and on these conditions
could have one day every year. Vive vale.' I am certain
that the note was drafted in those terms. I trust that now you
will not refuse to rewrite this note for me. You need not add
either the day or the date. I will take the note again to H[err]
v[on] Hartl and perhaps after all it will make some impression
on him - and possibly I shall then receive what he promised you
and me - I shall see you in a few days' time - Owing to work
and worry I have not yet been able to do so.
Wholly
your
Beethoven