Bonn, July 16, 1761.
Next in order, at an interval of rather more than a year, is the following short paper in reply to a petition, not preserved, of the new chapelmaster’s son:
Supplicanten is hereby graciously assured that in the event of a vacatur of a court musician’s salary he shall have special consideration. Attest our gracious sign manual and the impress of the seal of the Privy Chancellary.
Max Fried. Elector.
v. Belderbusch, (:L. S.:)
Bonn, November 27, 1762.
About December, 1763, a singer, Madame Lentner, after some four and a half years of service, threw up her appointment, giving occasion, through the vacancy thus caused, for the following petition, report and decrees:
Most Reverend Elector, Most Gracious
Lord, Lord.
Will Your Electoral Grace deign to receive the representation that by the acceptance of service elsewhere of Court Musician Dauber there has fallen to the disposition of Your Reverend Electoral Grace a salary of 1,050 rth., wherefore I, Joannes van Beethoven, having graciously been permitted for a considerable time to serve as court musician and have been graciously assured by decree of appointment to the first vacancy, and have always faithfully and diligently performed my duties and graciously been permitted to be in good voice, therefore my prayer is made to Your Reverend and Electoral Grace for a grant of the aforesaid 1,050 rth. or a gracious portion thereof, which act of highest grace I shall try to merit by fidelity and zeal in the performance of my duties.
Your
Reverend Electoral Grace’s
most obedient servant
Joannes van Beethoven,
vocalist.
This petition was seconded by the father in the following manner: