Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Sigmund Anton Steiner in Wien, Baden, 13. Juli 1824, Autograph

Beethoven announces repayment of the first part of his debts to the publisher Steiner. Beethoven had owed Steiner money since 1816; by 1819 the sum had risen to 1,200 florins C.M., which Steiner urged him to repay as early as 1820. In order to pay off his debts, Beethoven now sends Steiner two receipts for his annuity from Prince Kinsky and Archduke Rudolph, which was paid out every six months. Beethoven repeats the complaint he often made that he has to live frugally from what he can earn through his art and what his quill produces, "what I receive from the products of my mind, is generally used to cover my own and Karl's living expenses. Even my enemies will allow me to at least live as well as you do, and do so using my quill - gloria in excelsis -".