You have shown me feeling for harmony – and, if you will – you can certainly resolve a great discord, which is causing me a certain amount of discomfort, into greater harmony in my life – I am expecting to receive very soon something relating to what you have heard, something connected with what is to happen, for with deep apprehension I am facing this dishonest affair of the Kinsky family – The Princess, when she was in Vienna, seemed to be in favour of the arrangement – but I have no idea what will be the ultimate result. --- In the meantime I am hampered in every way, for I am perfectly justified in expecting to receive what rightly belongs to me and has been granted to me by contract. Moreover when certain events produced certain changes in the arrangement, which no one could have foretold, my claim which was recently allowed by the consent of the late Prince, was proved to be correct by two certificates; and the income which was quoted to me in bank-notes was also granted to me in redemption bonds to the same value; and the Prince himself had given me 60 gold ducats on account –
If the affair turns out unfavourably by reason of the behavior of the K[insky] family, then I shall have this story published in all the newspapers – exactly as it is – to the disgrace of that family. If there were an heir to whom I had recounted the story as truthfully, i.e. exactly as it is and as I am, well, I am convinced that he would have assumed the responsibility for the works and deeds of his ancestor – Has Dr. Wolf acquainted you with the documents, or shall I do so? –
As I am not quite sure whether you will receive this letter for certain, I have postponed sending you the pianoforte arrangement of my opera Fidelio which is ready to be forwarded to you –
I hope to have news from you consistent with your genial and friendly attitude – I am writing this very moment to Dr. Wolf as well, who certainly never behaves to anyone like a wolf. I am writing in order not to do him up, so that he may not do me in or do me out of something.
With kindest regards, your admirer and friend
Ludwig van Beethoven