Poor B. is very anxious to hear something of the English editors, as he hardly can keep those of this city from him, who tease him for his works.
Häring now writes the following for Beethoven to sign:
Give me leave to thank you for the trouble you have taken several times as I understand, in taking my works under your protection, by which I don’t doubt all justice has been done. I hope you will not find it indiscreet if I solicit you to answer Mr. Häring’s letter as soon as possible. I should feel myself highly flattered if you would express your wishes, that I may meet them, in which you will always find me ready, as an acknowledgment for the favors you have heaped upon my children.
Yours gratefully,
Ludwig van Beethoven.
Vienna 16. March, 1815.
And now I shall beg, my dear Sir George, not to take this long letter amiss and to believe that I am always with the greatest regard,
Your most humble and obedient servant,
John Häring.
Vienna 19. March, 1815.
The works enumerated in this letter, taking them in the same order, are Op. 95, 91, 92, 93, 97, 113, 115, 117 and 96. Häring was evidently ignorant that all of Beethoven’s new works were even then sold, except for England. Steiner had purchased them. The precise terms of the contract between the composer and this publisher are not known; for, although the transaction was too important to have been left to a mere parole agreement, no written instrument has been discovered. Jahn had no copy of any; and Nottebohm writes (November 19, 1875): “I was yesterday in the comptoir of Haslinger, but there nothing is to be found.” The earliest reference to the business yet discovered is a letter to Steiner, from which it is to be inferred that Karl van Beethoven was in some manner interested—perhaps as arranger, under his brother’s inspection, of the editions for pianoforte of the orchestral works:
Vienna, February 1, 1815.