Dear R[ies],
I hasten to inform you that I sent today to the post the pianoforte arrangement of the symphony in A addressed to the House of Thomas Coutts Co. As the Court is not here, hardly any, or very few, couriers are leaving; and in any case the post is the safest way – The symphony ought to appear about March and I will fix the day. On this occasion things have dragged on too long for me to fix a shorter time-limit. More time can be spent on the trio and the violin sonata, both of which will also be in London in a few weeks – I do earnestly request you, dear Ries, to interest yourself in these matters and to ensure also that I shall receive the money. The expense of dispatching all these works has been great and I need this money – I have lost 600 gulden a year from my salary – In the bank-note period that meant nothing – but then the redemption bonds were introduced, and so I forfeited these 600 gulden and had to face hardship for several years as well as the complete loss of my salary. Now we have reached a point when the redemption bonds are worth less than the banknotes used to be. I am paying 2000 gulden in rent. That will give you some idea of the misery which paper money is causing – My poor unfortunate brother has just died. He had a bad wife. I may as well tell you that for some years he had suffered from consumption; and in order to make life easier for him, I must have given him 10,000 gulden in Viennese currency. To an Englishman that is nothing, I know, but it is a large sum for a poor German or, I should say a poor Austrian. During his last years the poor fellow had changed greatly; and I may say that I mourn his loss with all my heart and that I now rejoice at being able to feel sure that so far as his comfort was concerned I have nothing to reproach myself with – Tell H[err] B[irchall] to refund to H[err] Salomon and to you the postage which your letters to me and mine to England are costing. He can deduct the amount from the sum which he is to pay me. I desire that those who are active in my interest should suffer as little loss as possible –
Wellington’s Sieg in der Schlacht bei Vittoria (this is also the title of the pianoforte arrangement) must have reached Thomas Coutts and Co. a long time ago. Herr Birchall need not pay the fee until he has received all the works – but do hurry, do see that I am informed of the day on which H[err] B[irchall] is going to publish the pianoforte arrangement – All that I can add today is my most ardent plea that you should further my interests; and I am at your service for anything you may require – My heartfelt wishes for your welfare, dear R[ies].
Your friend
Beethoven